Greece v England: Carsley’s finest night gives positive signs for Thomas Tuchel

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Greece v England: Carsley’s finest night gives positive signs for Thomas Tuchel

Carsley gave a first cap to Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, a position that is opening up for England, as a half-time substitute for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, while Morgan Rogers was introduced for his international bow after 66 minutes.

He came on to replace Newcastle *******’s Anthony Gordon, who grows in stature with every England game, while Chelsea winger Noni Madueke provided genuine threat and set up Watkins’ goal.

Watkins against showed he can score goals for England, as he did in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands, while other established internationals will have had plus marks against their names when Carsley hands his reports over to Tuchel.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford ******** a model of consistency, once again producing a crucial save from Fotis Ioannidis, while Bellingham strode around the Olympic Stadium with the sort of confident swagger that has been missing for England and Real Madrid in recent times.

This was Bellingham at his best, almost impossible to control with his movement, troubling Greece with his range of passing while also embarking on constant surged into areas of danger.

This had all the signs of a potentially troubling evening for England given their own recent indifferent displays, the noise around Carsley and the increasing questions about why Tuchel was delaying his arrival until 1 January.

In the end, an inexperienced and makeshift team made the task look relatively easy.

The Greece fans had their sense of expectation whipped up by presentations before kick-off to the players who stunned the football world by winning Euro 2004 in Portugal. The squad were paraded to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that triumph, joined by their legendary coach, 86-year-old “King Otto” Rehhagel.

England subdued the atmosphere from the start, mixing calm possession with pace in *******, especially down the flanks, setting the tone for Carsley’s finest night.

The normally impassive Carsley finally let his emotions out after the final whistle, joining the celebrations with his players, beaming as he wrapped an equally elated Jones in a bearhug.

Carsley has occasionally looked uncomfortable in his lofty position, but this was a vital moment for him and England, so he fully deserved to relish it.

If he can finish his six-match run with that crucial win at Wembley on Sunday, suddenly the negativity that has characterised the latter part of his time will be replaced a more positive gloss when Tuchel finally arrives to begin his 18-month contract at the turn of the year.

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