Greece 0-3 England PLAYER RATINGS: Who had a very encouraging debut? Which youngster was man of the match? And who was much improved from Wembley defeat?

England secured a crucial 3-0 win over Greece in their Nations League clash on Thursday evening.

Heading into the game, discussion centred around the glut of injury withdrawals that Lee Carsley‘s squad had suffered – with nine stars pulling out in total.

However the Three Lions played as though they had a full selection at hand as they breezed past Greece in the tie in Athens.

Ollie Watkins opened the scoring with a neat finish in the first-half before an own-goal and a Curtis Jones flick helped secure all three points for Carsley’s side.

Mail Sport’s CRAIG HOPE was on hand to provide England player ratings.

The win in Athens sees the Three Lions move top of the Nations League Group B

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1)

Jordan Pickford – 7.5

Back in team after Greece horror show last month and responded with strong showing. Two huge saves at 1-0 and played sweeper-keeper role perfectly.

Kyle Walker – 6

Hosts targeted his side in first half and he was better when moved to centre-back after half-time, using pace to get out of tricky spots on a couple of occasions.

Marc Guehi – 6.5

Another steady display and he’s making a habit of that for his country, without the need for anything spectacular.

Ezri Konsa – 6

Did what he had to with minimum fuss before injury forced half-time withdrawal.

Rico Lewis – 6.5

Much improved after bad night versus Greece last month. Good in possession and handled switch from left back to right back with confidence.

Curtis Jones – 7.5

Very encouraging debut. Brave in getting on ball and used it well. Wriggled out of a few tight situations and capped it all with clever, flicked goal.

Jordan Pickford returned after a horror show last month and responded with strong showing

Real Madrid star Bellingham put on his best performance in a long time for England

Conor Gallagher – 6

Walked a tightrope after early booking and did well to put himself about, but quality on the ball remains a little short at times.

Noni Madueke – 8

Picked up where he left off after exciting cameo in Finland and did what wingers should – attacked his full-back at pace, and it created opener. Was a threat throughout. MOM.

Jude Bellingham – 7.5

His best in a long time for England. Wonderful pass to set Madueke away leading to opener. Always involved and had his swagger back, in the right way. Shot forced second goal.

Anthony Gordon – 6.5

Showed early intent with run and cross and England are better for that incision down left, even if final product was lacking on this occasion.

Ollie Watkins – 7

Took goal well and team were more dangerous for his pace and threat in behind, even if he did fluff a great chance when sent clear.

Ollie Watkins took his goal well and England were more dangerous with his pace in behind

Substitutes

Lewis Hall (on for Konsa 46) 7

Harry Kane (on for Watkins 66) 6

Jarrod Bowen (on for Madueke 66) 6

Morgan Rogers (on for Gordon 66) 7

Morgan Gibbs-White (on for Gallagher 79) 6.5

Manager – Lee Carsley 7.5

His front three – with pace and incision – made all the difference and, despite losing so many players this week, he picked the right team and got the result he needed.

Referee – D Siebert (GER) 7

Greece: Vlachodimos 6; Rota 5, Mavropanos 6, Koulierakis 5.5, Tsimikas 4.5 (Pelkas 57); Siopis 6, Zafeiris 6; Masouras 5.5, Bakasetas 5 (Ioannidis 57, 5), Tzolis 5.5; Pavlidis 5 (Giannoulis 57, 5)