England fell to a 2-1 loss to Greece on Thursday night after a disappointing performance from most of their players, including Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon.
Interim boss Lee Carsley opted a bold all-out attacking strategy in the Nations League group game at Wembley but it completely failed to get the desired results.
The 50-year-old deployed Jude Bellingham as a false nine and also started Phil Foden, Gordon, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer in a very attacking line-up.
However, the new set-up left them very vulnerable at the back as Greece breached their defences five times only to see three ruled out for offside.
Ivan Jovanović’s men broke the deadlock early in the second half as Vangelis Pavlidis put the ball in the net with a fine finish.
Carsley immediately made a few substitutions and Jude Bellingham’s 87th minute strike looked to have rescued a point for the Three Lions.
However, the visitors had the last laugh as Pavlidis punished some woeful defending to beat Jordan Pickford with a composed finish.
The National media criticised the Three Lions’ performance and also slammed Anthony Gordon for his lack of impact at Wembley.
The Daily Mirror gave him a lowly 5/10 rating, noting he ‘failed to make a statement in the star-studded line-up’.
Gordon has also endured a slow start at Newcastle this campaign, contributing just two goals in seven Premier League starts.
Last season, the 23-year-old registered 11 goals and 10 assists in 35 top-flight appearances.
The forward will be hoping to produce a better performance when England face Finland on Sunday at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
Stats from Transfermarkt
