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England bounced back from their embarrassing defeat to Greece by securing a 3-1 win over Finland in the Nations League, though it was by no means a vintage showing from the Three Lions as Lee Carsley continues to experiment as interim coach.
Jack Grealish opened the scoring as the Manchester City winger latched onto Angel Gomes’ outrageous round-the-corner pass and passed the ball into the net for his second goal of the campaign. England dominated possession thereafter, though they were unable to produce any clear openings as Harry Kane toiled on his return to the line up after injury.
Instead, Carsley’s side were fortunate not to be pegged back early in the second period when Fredrik Jensen blazed over the crossbar from close-range. They made the most of that let-off, however, as Trent Alexander-Arnold, who started the game at left-back, curled in a superb free-kick before Declan Rice poked home substitute Ollie Watkins’ cross. Finland did pull one back late on through Arttu Hoskonen, but the game was over as a contest at that stage.
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AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Dean Henderson (6/10):
Sure-handed on just his second appearance for his country. Never really stretched, and had no chance with Hoskonen’s consolation.
Kyle Walker (5/10):
Caught defensively on a couple of occasions. Had a couple of encouraging moments in attack, but not his finest game.
John Stones (7/10):
Controlled things defensively and stepped out with the ball to cause problems to the Finland midfield on a couple of occasions. A class act.
Marc Guehi (8/10):
Exceptional in the first half as he made a number of key interventions both in the air and on the ground. Continues to look at home at this level.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (7/10):
Thrown in at left-back and didn’t let himself down even before his superb free-kick goal. Combined well with those in front of him, most notably in the build-up to Grealish’s goal, though he was found wanting in defence once or twice.
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AFPMidfield
Angel Gomes (7/10):
Gave the ball away in dangerous areas early on, but soon settled and produced the classiest moment of the game with his superb round-the-corner assist for Grealish to open the scoring.
Declan Rice (8/10):
Far more adventurous than against Greece as a number of his late runs into the penalty area caused problems. Had a couple of half-chances that he couldn’t take before he finally found the net late on.
Jude Bellingham (7/10):
Looked to run the show and had a couple of nice moments when combining with both Grealish and Alexander-Arnold. Looked a class above at times.
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AFPAttack
Cole Palmer (5/10):
Struggled to get himself in the game during the first half, with his final ball lacking somewhat. Better after the break but couldn’t cut open the Finland defence as he does on a weekly basis in the Premier League.
Harry Kane (3/10):
Didn’t get the service he so craves, but this was another largely anonymous showing from the England captain. Fitness may have played a role, but this wasn’t the Kane that Three Lions fan know.
Jack Grealish (7/10):
Took his goal expertly with a fine run into the box. Too often turned back when he could have committed a defender, but barely gave the ball away in what was another encouraging display for the Manchester City man.
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Noni Madueke (6/10):
Offered a more direct threat than Palmer after replacing his club-mate.
Ollie Watkins (7/10):
Gave England more energy up front after coming on for Kane, and his bright cameo was capped by a fine assist for Rice’s goal.
Phil Foden (N/A):
Replaced Bellingham for the final 10 minutes.
Rico Lewis (N/A):
Gave Gomes a rest in the closing stages.
Conor Gallagher (N/A):
Got a brief run out after replacing Rice.
Lee Carsley (6/10):
Hardly an inspiring performance, though his substitutions certainly had a positive impact. Solid, but nothing more.
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