England's interim manager Lee Carsley, did not have the best of build-ups to this vitally important group match in the Nations League, as eight players decided to drop out of the squad for a variety of reasons. However, it did reveal the depth we have in the squad, and watching the game pan out the manager couldn't have been more delighted with the final result.

England came out full of vim and vigour, and it was not long before their attack made inroads on the Greek defence. A lightening break down the left by Anthony Gordon, had his full-back marker tied in knots, and he almost set up Chuk Madueka for a chance early on. It was a confident start by England and they were not to ease off for the whole 90 minutes. Then, in the seventh minute England took the lead. Again Madueka was at the forefront of things, receiving from Jude Bellingham and setting off on a run down the right which ended with a fine pull back right into the path of Ollie Watkins, who calmly tucked the ball past the goalkeeper. Carsley had opted to start with Watkins instead of Harry Kane, which was another surprise, but it paid off straight away.

The work ethic of this young England side was preventing Greece from finding any sort of rhythm and there was continuous pressure on the home back line. Conor Gallagher received an early yellow card, but he remained unaffected by that. Another Madueka run again caused danger and only a desperate clearance stifled that attack. The Greeks could not get into their stride, such was the pressure England were exerting. They did go down very easily though and it was surprising that a few of their players were not booked before they actually were. On 16 minutes Gordon made another good run, cutting inside to fire in a shot which was headed away., a minute later Madueka also cut inside to shoot but it was an easy save for Odysseas Vlachodimos.

On the half-hour, after a brief period of pressure, Greece did finally create a chance as Konstantinos Tsimikas cut inside to shoot and Jordan Pickford did really well to parry the ball wide. Bellingham was an increasing dominant figure in England's play and one great run was only just stopped as Bellingham was about to shoot. England still had to be very aware of the pace of the Greek players, and Pickford made another save as Anastasios Bakasetas fired in a low shot which the goalkeeper easily saved. In the main though, England were coping well at the back, with Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa working well together. For the remainder of the half England had no alarms and they saw play through to the break with ease.

A reshuffle was required after the break as Konsa had received a knock. Walker moved into the middle, Rico Lewis went to right-back and Lewis Hall made a very promising debut at left-back. He slotted in well and looked calm and unruffled when under pressure.

England had plenty of possession and Lewis fired in a good shot which the keeper did well to palm away. Almost immediately, a cross from Madueka was met with a glancing header by Bellingham and the ball struck a post before being cleared. Bellingham then came close to touching in a Gordon free-kick, but at 1-0 there was still danger from Greece. On 63 minutes Fotis Ionnidis found himself clear and only an excellent save from Pickford saw off the danger.

Jarrod Bowen, Harry Kane and another debutant, Morgan Rogers came on as subs but it did not change the pattern of the match which was generally seeing England in control. Over the next ten minutes there were half-chances at both ends, but then on 77 minutes England sealed the result. A lovely pass from Rogers found Bellingham and he fired in a low shot from 20 yards. Again it hit a post but this time the ball rebounded into the net off the goalkeeper's legs. A little fortunate maybe, but a deserved goal nonetheless. The whole England team had put in a really impressive shift in this vital game and on 83 minutes they topped the win off with a wonderful third goal. Bowen and substitute Morgan Gibbs-White combined and the latter made good strides into the box before pulling the ball back for the ever-industrious Curtis Jones to cleverly backheel the ball wide of the goalkeeper. It was a stunning goal and one he will relive many times over.

For the rest of the match, both sides realized the game was up, although there was still time for Pickford to make a very good late save from Petros Mantalos. That could be a crucial save in the final analysis.

This was a fine all-round display by England, and all those players missing from the game may rue the day that they abandoned the National team, as the replacements did more than enough to stake a claim to a regular spot. Still, I dare say most of those missing players will make miraculous recoveries ready for next week's Premier games.
         

Source Notes