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Five things Lee Carsley learned as Greece stun England at Wembley in shock win
An injury-time winner from striker Vangelis Pavlidis saw Greece claim a famous win at Wembley to shock Lee Carsley's England 2-1 in the Nations League
An injury-time winner from striker Vangelis Pavlidis saw Greece earn a stunning 2-1 win over England at Wembley.
On a night in which the Three Lions did not start a striker, it was Greece's leading man who stole the headlines. Pavlidis scored both of Greece's goals in a famous 2-1 win, which will likely damage Lee Carsley's hope of getting the England job on a permanent basis.
The initial warning signs early on were there for England when goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a two minute spell of madness when he strolled outside of his area and gifted possession to Greece, who nearly scored through Anastasios Bakasetas.
While the two sides went into the break level, it was Greece who struck first in the second half through Pavlidis. England pushed for an equaliser, and found one through Jude Bellingham on 87 minutes which looked to have salvaged a Nations League point for Carsley's side.
However, on the evening where Greece (and England) paid tribute to their former international teammate George Baldock who sadly passed away this week, it was Ivan Jovanovic's side who came away celebrating a famous win when Pavlidis pounced in the box in injury-time to net the winner.
There can be no doubt Greece deserved to win the game. They were the better side and had they been a bit more clinical, they would have won the game comfortably. England will get their chance to respond to this defeat on Sunday when they take on Finland.
Greece deserved to win
On the night, Greece were the better side. They created good chances, and had they been more clinical they would have won the game at Wembley comfortably. Their late winner was completely deserved.
England were not at the races on what was an emotional evening, especially for the Greek players who paid tribute to their late international teammate George Baldock who sadly passed away on Wednesday.
On paper, England should not be losing to Greece. However, football isn't played on paper. Greece outplayed England and deserved to leave Wembley with a win.
The Lee Carsley honeymoon (if there was one) is over
England's performances against the Republic of Ireland and Finland were positive results for interim boss Lee Carsley to build upon. However, against Greece, they essentially un-did all their good work from the previous two games.
The Three Lions looked lethargic and at times naive. Had they taken their chances, they would have won. Cole Palmer had an excellent chance to give England the lead but blazed over from inside the box.
Winger Anthony Gordon headed over a wonderful cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold when he should have at least hit the target. Then immediately after coming on for Gordon in the second half, Ollie Watkins was given an opportunity to prove he should be Harry Kane's deputy only for the Aston Villa star to fire his effort over the bar.
You suspect that had England produced two strong performances during the international break, the FA would more than likely offer Carsley the job on a permanent basis. However, the game against Greece might make them re-consider their options.
No striker experiment fails
Eyebrows were raised before the game at Wembley when the England team was announced with Lee Carsley opting to start Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. It was an incredibly attacking line-up that at times looked good, especially for the chance Palmer blazed over the bar.
However, it lacked balance. Declan Rice was given the thankless task of being England's lone holding midfielder, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis inverting from their full-back positions at times. What transpired in the end was Greece enjoying plenty of joy in transition, with them catching England out on the counter on a number of occasions.
England need to find Harry Kane's successor
England really could do with finding a successor to skipper Harry Kane, who missed the game against Greece due to injury. Both Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke were brought on in the second half with the former handed a golden opportunity to equalise for England.
He fired his strike over the bar. Solanke had an opportunity too to score but his cheeky backheel in a goalmouth scramble was saved. While England grabbed an equaliser through Bellingham which was ultimately all for nothing, they still need to find out just who should serve as Kane's back-up, both now, and in the future.
A lack of control; both with and without the ball
England did not deserve a point from this game. It is a positive they found a way through the Greek defence late on, but they were second best on the night. But Greece deserved to win. Had they been more clinical, they would have won the game comfortably.
The Three Lions lacked control both with the ball and without when Greece hit them on the counter. They will have to be much better when they take on Finland.
Daily Star Sunday
An injury-time winner from striker Vangelis Pavlidis saw Greece claim a famous win at Wembley to shock Lee Carsley's England 2-1 in the Nations League
An injury-time winner from striker Vangelis Pavlidis saw Greece earn a stunning 2-1 win over England at Wembley.
On a night in which the Three Lions did not start a striker, it was Greece's leading man who stole the headlines. Pavlidis scored both of Greece's goals in a famous 2-1 win, which will likely damage Lee Carsley's hope of getting the England job on a permanent basis.
The initial warning signs early on were there for England when goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a two minute spell of madness when he strolled outside of his area and gifted possession to Greece, who nearly scored through Anastasios Bakasetas.
While the two sides went into the break level, it was Greece who struck first in the second half through Pavlidis. England pushed for an equaliser, and found one through Jude Bellingham on 87 minutes which looked to have salvaged a Nations League point for Carsley's side.
However, on the evening where Greece (and England) paid tribute to their former international teammate George Baldock who sadly passed away this week, it was Ivan Jovanovic's side who came away celebrating a famous win when Pavlidis pounced in the box in injury-time to net the winner.
There can be no doubt Greece deserved to win the game. They were the better side and had they been a bit more clinical, they would have won the game comfortably. England will get their chance to respond to this defeat on Sunday when they take on Finland.
Greece deserved to win
On the night, Greece were the better side. They created good chances, and had they been more clinical they would have won the game at Wembley comfortably. Their late winner was completely deserved.
England were not at the races on what was an emotional evening, especially for the Greek players who paid tribute to their late international teammate George Baldock who sadly passed away on Wednesday.
On paper, England should not be losing to Greece. However, football isn't played on paper. Greece outplayed England and deserved to leave Wembley with a win.
The Lee Carsley honeymoon (if there was one) is over
England's performances against the Republic of Ireland and Finland were positive results for interim boss Lee Carsley to build upon. However, against Greece, they essentially un-did all their good work from the previous two games.
The Three Lions looked lethargic and at times naive. Had they taken their chances, they would have won. Cole Palmer had an excellent chance to give England the lead but blazed over from inside the box.
Winger Anthony Gordon headed over a wonderful cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold when he should have at least hit the target. Then immediately after coming on for Gordon in the second half, Ollie Watkins was given an opportunity to prove he should be Harry Kane's deputy only for the Aston Villa star to fire his effort over the bar.
You suspect that had England produced two strong performances during the international break, the FA would more than likely offer Carsley the job on a permanent basis. However, the game against Greece might make them re-consider their options.
No striker experiment fails
Eyebrows were raised before the game at Wembley when the England team was announced with Lee Carsley opting to start Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka. It was an incredibly attacking line-up that at times looked good, especially for the chance Palmer blazed over the bar.
However, it lacked balance. Declan Rice was given the thankless task of being England's lone holding midfielder, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis inverting from their full-back positions at times. What transpired in the end was Greece enjoying plenty of joy in transition, with them catching England out on the counter on a number of occasions.
England need to find Harry Kane's successor
England really could do with finding a successor to skipper Harry Kane, who missed the game against Greece due to injury. Both Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke were brought on in the second half with the former handed a golden opportunity to equalise for England.
He fired his strike over the bar. Solanke had an opportunity too to score but his cheeky backheel in a goalmouth scramble was saved. While England grabbed an equaliser through Bellingham which was ultimately all for nothing, they still need to find out just who should serve as Kane's back-up, both now, and in the future.
A lack of control; both with and without the ball
England did not deserve a point from this game. It is a positive they found a way through the Greek defence late on, but they were second best on the night. But Greece deserved to win. Had they been more clinical, they would have won the game comfortably.
The Three Lions lacked control both with the ball and without when Greece hit them on the counter. They will have to be much better when they take on Finland.
Daily Star Sunday