Lee Carsley may have gambled away England job as damning stats underline how bad Greece horror show really was
LEE CARSLEY may have lost his chance of landing the England job on a full-time basis after the shock defeat to Greece.
The Three Lions were humbled 2-1 as they were defeated at Wembley in the Nations League.
Jude Bellingham had looked to have spared England‘s blushes as his 87th-minute goal cancelled out Vangelis Pavlidis’s earlier goal.
However, the Greek striker struck again in the 94th minute to hand the visitors an emotional victory following the tragic death of George Baldock.
Many had believed that Carsley was the man to take England forward after the impressive wins over Finland and the Republic of Ireland in his first two matches of his interim reign.
However, the underlining stats made during the loss to Greece may have wrecked his chances.
Greece’s win meant they set the record to become the lowest-ranked side, 48th, to beat England on home soil.
The previous record was set when North Ireland beat England 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier back in September 2005.
They are also the lowest-ranked side to beat the Three Lions in a competitive match in 19 years.
It was also the first time England had ever lost to Greece and the first goals scored by the nation at Wembley.
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Carsley opted to play a very attacking side with the likes of Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon all starting.
The team set up in a false nine due to the absence of Harry Kane but the glut of attacking talent failed to shine.
England's shocking stats against Greece
Here are the shocking that stats that were set in England's defeat to Greece...
– Lowest ranked side to beat England in a competitive match in 19 years.
– The lowest-ranked side ever beat England on home soil.
– Greece had never beaten England in their history.
– Greece had never scored a goal at Wembley before.
– Pavlidis’ strikes were his first since June 2022 vs Cyprus.
– Bellingham’s 87th-minute equaliser was England’s first shot on target since the third minute (also Bellingham).
Bellingham’s goal was England’s first shot on target since his effort in the 87th minute.
Defensively, the Three Lions allowed Pavlidis to score his first international goals since June 2022 when he netted in the 3-0 win over Cyprus.
After the match, Carsley admitted that the tactics had only been practised the bold style for 20 minutes.
He also put doubt on his willingness to be named the permenant manager of England.
He said: “I was surprised after the last camp [to hear], ‘The job’s mine, it’s mine to lose.’
“My remit is I am doing three camps and then hopefully going back to the Under-21s.”
After being pressed as to why he’s hopeful of returning to his normal job, Carsley added: “I said at the start that I wouldn’t rule myself in or out.
“And that’s still the case. I’m more than comfortable in my position where I am.
“The remit was clear. I’m comfortable and confident with that.
“After the first camp, I definitely didn’t get too excited or believe too much.
“I’m very aware that this job is one of the best in the world in terms of you’ve actually got a chance of winning.
“Obviously, I’m talking about that after a loss but in terms of a major competition – and that’s still the case.”
England player ratings vs Greece
By Tom Barclay
LEE CARSLEY’S tactical experiment of playing no strikers backfired as Vangelis Pavlidis’ double secured an emotional shock win for Greece at Wembley.
Interim England boss Carsley played all three of our nation’s gifted No10s – Phil Foden, Jue Bellingham and Cole Palmer – in varying positions.
But it did not work and the Greeks took a deserved lead thanks to Pavlidis’ belting second-half finish.
The visitors then held up a shirt in celebration bearing the name Baldock – in reference to their team-mate George Baldock, whose passing at the age of just 31 on Wednesday rocked the world of football.
Bellingham looked to have ensured the points were shared with a thunderous strike with three minutes to go.
But there was still time for Pavlidis to expose some woeful defending deep into injury time by firing past Jordan Pickford.
Here are SunSport’s player ratings from a dire night for England under the arch.
Jordan Pickford: 4
Wandered into no-man’s-land territory outside his box early on and lost the ball, allowing Greek skipper Tasos Baksetas a free shot at goal – only to be saved by Levi Colwill’s last-gasp clearance. Did not instil confidence, despite his experience.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6
Some tasty passes – they are his speciality, after all – but not great at the back. He, John Stones and Cole Palmer were weak in their attempt to close down Vangelis Pavlidis before the Benfica man smashed home the opener.
John Stones: 5
Made captain for what was his 82nd cap, surpassing Rio Ferdinand’s haul. But it was a shaky display from his defence and Stones should have done better to stop Pavlidis.
Levi Colwill: 7
Greece would have been ahead far sooner were it not for Colwill’s athletic hack away to deny Bakasetas. Replays showed it would have crossed the line had the Chelsea man been a split second later with his incredible intervention.
Rico Lewis: 6
Tried to bomb up the left flank where he could but, just like Kieran Trippier at the Euros, was hamstrung by constantly having to cut back onto his favoured right foot.
Declan Rice: 6
Played as England’s only holding midfielder, as fans had been imploring Gareth Southgate to use him for years. It was not like he was overrun but his side did look vulnerable on the counter.
Phil Foden: 4
Spent most of the game pressing the Greek backline as a false nine without really getting on the ball and causing any damage. Ineffective.
Cole Palmer: 6
Deployed in a deeper, central-midfield role which at least meant he saw plenty of the ball, though he blazed England’s best chance of the first half over the bar. Remarkably, his first competitive England start, despite being named on Tuesday as Three Lions player of the 2023-24 season.
Bukayo Saka: 5
Struggled to get into the game and then was forced out of it, worryingly limping off early in the second half. The last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see.
Jude Bellingham: 7 STAR MAN
Played in a false nine position and had a belting early shot well saved. The system did not work but Bellingham still so nearly emerged as the saviour by banging in his first goal of the season for club and country.
Anthony Gordon: 5
Caused Greece few problems and his touch looked off it. Had a decent chance from Alexander-Arnold’s peach of a delivery but headed over.
SUBS:
Noni Madueke (for Saka 52): Played out on the left, rather than his natural right, when coming on. Went down in the box deep into injury time but no penalty was given. 6
Ollie Watkins (for Gordon 60): Almost scored with his first touch when played through by Palmer, but smashed just over. 7
Dominic Solanke (for Foden 72): Grabbed an assist when laying the ball back to Bellingham who thumped in the leveller. 7
Manager Lee Carsley: 4
Seemed to gamble unnecessarily with this experimental system instead of playing it safe to add another win to boost his case to earn the job full-time. Carsley played without a natural centre-forward when winning the Under-21 Euros because he had to after Flo Balogun switched the USA and Rhian Brewster got injured, but here he did it by choice and it did not work. Bellingham looked to have saved his bacon – but then Pavlidis struck again.