LIVERPOOL ace Curtis Jones made his long-awaited senior debut with England on Thursday against Greece.
Jones, 23, enjoyed a bow to remember as he also hit the back of the net during the Three Lions’ 3-0 win over the Greeks in Athens.
And the midfielder did it in style as he sealed the three points and first place in their Nations League group with a stunning flick on 83 minutes.
Morgan Gibbs-White played a clever pass from the right flank and found the popular Liverpudlian, who beat Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos with a slick back-heel.
That was Jones’ first ever England goal at senior level, however resurfaced footage shows he has done the exact same thing before with the Under-21s.
In fact, he did it only last year in an international friendly against France at the King Power Stadium.
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And just like against Greece, the Liverpool ace had scored the Young Lions’ third goal to seal the win.
Noni Madueke played a brilliant low ball from the left and found the incoming Jones who finished brilliantly with a scintillating flick.
Lee Carsley’s Young Lions went on to win 4-0, as Emile Smith Rowe, Madueke and Jacob Ramsey also got on the scoresheet.
Jones’ goal against Greece allowed England to exact revenge following last month’s embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Wembley against Ivan Jovanovic’s side.
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The Three Lions are also top of their group and in charge of their destiny as a victory over the Republic of Ireland on Sunday in London will see them returning to League A.
Jones was among the standouts in Athens on a night that saw Carsley without nine key players who dropped out.
The former England youth international made a strong case for a place in the starting line-up under incoming permanent manager Thomas Tuchel, who takes over after the match with Ireland.
England ratings vs Greece as Madueke and Jones steal the show after Kane benched
IT IS difficult to remember an England starting XI which, on paper at least, looked as totally underwhelming as this one.
Yet manager-in-waiting Thomas Tuchel, presumably watching the game at his home in Bavaria, will have been hugely encouraged by this performance from what appeared to be a complete mish-mash of a team – and one which was awfully short of experience.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated England’s stars…
Jordan Pickford – 8
Back in after being dropped for Finland last month – and showed a good response. Great stop to deny Kostas Tsimikas at the near post and alive to danger throughout.
Earned his first-ever booking in 72 England caps for time wasting in the first half.
Kyle Walker – 7
Captain in Harry Kane’s absence and passionately conveyed his side’s frustration to ref Daniel Siebert when Pickford was booked.
Moved to centre-back after the break when Ezri Konsa went off.
Marc Guehi – 7
Another solid performance from the Crystal Palace man who you would think would be a first-choice starter for Thomas Tuchel when the German begins work.
Ezri Konsa – 7
One of several players targeted by a laser in the crowd, along with Pickford and Belligham.
Limped off just before half-time and was replaced by Lewis Hall at the break.
Rico Lewis – 7
Filled in at left-back over newbie Hall, before moving to the right when the Newcastle man came on.
Almost had his first England goal early in the second half but was denied by a fine stop from Hall’s club-mate Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Curtis Jones – 9
Sparkled on debut in the heart of midfield, not looking overawed in the slightest. Played deeper than he does for Liverpool, but in the same position where he shone for Lee Carsley in England’s triumphant Under-21 Euros last summer.
Gorgeous backheel to cap his bow with the third goal.
Conor Gallagher – 7
Started brightly next to Jones, though gave the ball away a few times after the break. Booked for stopping a quick free-kick early on.
Arrived just too late to poke in the rebound from Bellingham’s strike as it had already crossed the line for an own goal.
Noni Madueke – 9
A blistering first start from the Chelsea man who put real pressure on Bukayo Saka’s place with this performance.
He took on his man at every opportunity, at pace, and had excellent end product too, setting up Watkins’ opener and a header for Bellingham which hit the post.
Jude Bellingham – 8
Some sublime touches and passes from the talisman, including a wonderful ball round the corner to release Madueke in the build-up to the opener.
Seemed to thrive with pace all around him and killed off the game with his late strike which hit the post and bounced in off the keeper.
Anthony Gordon – 7
Provided a threat down the left with his pace and trickery, even if he was outshone by Madueke. A decent display but not one that demanded he start at left wing every game.
Ollie Watkins – 7
The surprise starter over Harry Kane. He took his early chance well, converting from the edge of the six-yard box.
Could have had another when sent clean through but the ball got stuck under his feet.
Subs
Lewis Hall (for Ezri Konsa half-time) – 7
Came on at half-time for his debut and did not put a foot wrong.
Harry Kane (for Ollie Watkins, 66) – 6
Had a curling effort well stopped after exchanging passes with fellow sub Morgan Rogers.
Morgan Rogers (for Anthony Gordon, 66) – 8
Some exciting touches from the Villa debutant, including one to release Bellingham in the lead-up to the second goal.
Jarrod Bowen (for Noni Madueke, 66) – 7
Clever nutmeg to free Morgan Gibbs-White, who then teed up Jones.
Morgan Gibbs-White (for Gallagher, 79) – 7
Cutback for Jones was on the money.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
