Greece vs England LIVE: Result and reaction as Three Lions seal victory in must-win Nations League clash
Greece 0-3 England: Ollie Watkins, an own goal created by Jude Bellingham and Curtis Jones ensured Lee Carsley’s Three Lions got the victory they needed in Athens
England took a big step closer to winning automatic promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with a strong 3-0 victory over rivals Greece in Athens.
Interim manager Lee Carsley made it four wins out of five for his time in charge and made a bold call in leaving captain Harry Kane on the bench to start the game. His replacement was Ollie Watkins and the decision made off spectacularly. Noni Madueke sprinted down the right and slipped in a pass that Watkins turned home with seven minutes on the clock.
The early breakthrough settled the nerves and England were able to weather a storm from the hosts with Jordan Pickford proving his worth on a busy night between the sticks. In the second half, Carsley made attacking substitutions and replaced the whole front line.
It worked a treat as first Bellingham raced at the defence to score a fortuitious deflected shot from range before Curtis Jones added a third with a dainty flick having been supplied by substitute Morgan Rogers. Three goals and three points puts England top of Group B2 and they need one more win to gain promotion.
Relive the action from the Nations League with our live blog below as England take on Greece:
Kane on squad members dropping out
England captain Harry Kane isn’t best pleased that so many senior players have dropped out of the squad for these two international fixtures.
Speaking to ITV he said: “It’s a shame this week, obviously. I think it’s a tough period of the season and, yeah, maybe that’s been taken advantage of that a little bit.
“I don’t really like it if I’m totally honest. I think, like I just said there, England comes before anything, any club situation.”
Harry Kane hits out at England teammates over withdrawals from squad: ‘I don’t really like it’
Harry Kane has accused his England teammates of taking advantage of the lack of a long-term manager by pulling out of the squad for this week’s must-win game against Greece.
The England captain launched an attack on his fellow players after eight withdrew on Monday from interim manager Lee Carsley’s group.
Thomas Tuchel does not start as Gareth Southgate’s successor until January and Kane implied players would not have sat out the double header against Greece and Republic of Ireland if the German was in charge.
Harry Kane hits out at England teammates over withdrawals from squad
Eight players pulled out of interim manager Lee Carsley’s squad on Monday
Greece vs England prediction
England to bounce back from disappointment last time out and record victory in more pragmatic fashion than they tried last time the sides met.
Greece 1-2 England.
Carsley expects ‘tough game’ against Greece
Lee Carsley says he is expecting the Three Lions to come up against a touch side in Greece when they clash in a crucial Nations League match tonight.
The interim boss said: “We’re expecting a tough game and it’s one we have to win. “But we’re really looking forward to it, we’ve had a good week’s training, the players are in good spirits and it’s going to be a sell out with a great atmosphere. “We’ve had to wait four or five weeks for this, but this next window is so important to us, not just tomorrow but Republic of Ireland as well, so it’s a great challenge for us.”
England have nine players drop out
England have had nine players drop out of the squad due to injury or recuperation leaving Lee Carsley with a difficult job against Greece.
The interim boss was adamant that the players who remain can get a win and that his focus has been on preparing for the game not managing those that dropped out.
Carsley said: “The focus all camp has been on the players that are here and it’s important that we make the most of this situation.
“With the amount of players that have pulled out, it gives other players an opportunity to be here. We’re really looking forward to the game and it’s going to be a tough test for us and the focus has been purely on the players that are here.
“With the amount of pull-outs we’ve had in the window, historically it’s been like that in the past - November has always been a challenging window - but the culture that Gareth, Steve and the rest of the lads created has made it a really positive environment and the players that are here thoroughly deserve to be here and they’re ready for the game.”
Carsley on Branthwaite’s fitness
With so many England players missing during this camp there is an opportunity for some of the younger members of the squad to make their mark.
One such player was Everton’s Jarrod Branthwaite though an injury means he misses out against Greece and has returned to Everton for his recovery.
Lee Carsley said: “We have tried to give Jarrad as long we can but he is probably going to miss out so Jarell [Quansah] will join the travelling party and take part in the rest of the camp.
“I think it’s really important that Jarrad hasn’t trained. He’s been treated for the last two or three days and it’s an issue that Everton will now take over when he goes back.”
Lee Carsley disputes Pep Guardiola claim over Jack Grealish’s fitness
Lee Carsley has disputed Pep Guardiola’s assertion that Jack Grealish was not fit for an international call-up by saying there was regular communication between Manchester City and England before the midfielder was selected last week.
Grealish, who has missed City’s last six matches, was included in the 26-man party Carsley named on Thursday, but was one of eight withdrawals from the squad on Monday.
The £100m signing has scored twice in Carsley’s brief reign and the interim manager admitted it was a risk to pick Grealish, but said it was based on medical advice.
Lee Carsley disputes Pep Guardiola claim over Jack Grealish’s fitness
Guardiola was perplexed at Grealish’s initial inclusion in the England squad after missing the last six Manchester City games
What is the latest England team news?
Lee Carsley has already seen several injuries mount up, with right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, centre midfielder Declan Rice and winger Bukayo Saka being the most notable ones from the usual first-choice line-up.
Phil Foden, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Jack Grealish and backup goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale are also all out, meaning Jarrod Bowen and Jarrad Branthwaite were called up as cover along with the uncapped Morgan Rogers and Tino Livramento.
The latter pair join James Trafford, Lewis Hall, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Curtis Jones in hoping to earn a first cap.
Branthwaite missed training on Tuesday and has since returned to Everton with Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah providing cover.
Where can I watch the match?
Greece vs England will be screened live on ITV1 and STV. It can be streamed via ITVX on compatible devices, as well as the STV Player.
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