Jack Grealish pleaded with referee not to send Aurier off during England win

England were facing the Ivory Coast in a friendly, a match that Gareth Southgate's side won 3-0 thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins, Raheem Sterling and Tyrone Mings.

While the Three Lions were undoubtedly favourites for the match, the spectacle was dampened somewhat in the first half when Serge Aurier was sent off after 40 minutes for a second bookable offense.

The red card for the former Tottenham man effectively ended the match as a contest, something that Grealish relaid to the referee as he asked for him to make a less harsh decision.

"I wanted [Serge Aurier] to stay on because it's a friendly and you get more from playing against 11," Grealish told Sky Sports.

"I think it would have been more of a challenge for us. I said to the referee 'come on!'"

Speaking of the night as a whole Grealish said: "I thought it was a good performance from us.

"We knew it would be difficult to start but the red card changed things completely.

"It was a different type of game to what we're used to playing. It was a good performance from the team and I'm happy with mine too.

"I asked Raheem Sterling if there was any chance he was passing to me before (he scored)! No, I'm just happy to get goals and assists.

"They have been difficult to come by at Manchester City but with England I have got quite a few. I want to continue playing well because I'm really enjoying it."

While Grealish didn't get on the score sheet himself, the Manchester City man also said that a conversation with Pep Guardiola has turned his attention to the efforts of the team, rather than increasing his own personal tally.

"Of course, I've spoken to Pep Guardiola," Grealish said. "He's shown me every other stat in the world that you would be happy with apart from goals and assists.

"He's the only person I need to impress but if you're a forward you want to get goals and assists so hopefully in the business end of the season I can get them.

"It's a brilliant time to be in my shoes. We're in so many competitions still and then at the end of the year we have the World Cup.

"I need to keep impressing the manager to get into that squad."