THREE England stars get 9/10 ratings as talkSPORT host becomes Jones fanboy

Playing away at a hostile Olympic Stadium in Athens, the Three Lions managed to avenge their October defeat at Wembley with a ruthless performance.

Ollie Watkins sent Lee Carsley on his way to victory in his penultimate match as interim manager after the interim boss took the bold decision to leave captain Harry Kane on the bench.

Jordan Pickford did have work to do before an own goal and a debut strike from Curtis Jones sealed a 3-0 triumph for the Three Lions.

It was very much job done for an England side infused with youth from the U21 coach, who gave a debut to Liverpool star Jones and more minutes for other young stars.

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talkSPORT's Adrian Durham gives his marks out of ten for each of the victorious lions.

Versatility shines through

Pickford had five saves to make, and unlike his opposite number, he stopped them all. Still, he loses marks for an early yellow card and racks up a 7/10, with Durham commenting: "It was a stupid booking first half but he stayed alert and calm to keep a clean sheet. You can't really ask much more."

Elsewhere at the back there was a mix of age and youth, both from Manchester City, with 34-year-old Kyle Walker and 19-year-old Rico Lewis flanking the defence.

Walker was "frustrating at times when he kept going sideways and backwards, but defensive versatility and pace became important second half," while Lewis "played in different positions, and is becoming an important, versatile player for England." Both players earned a 6/10.

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'Established first choice'

Ezri Konza again partnered Marc Guehi, and while the Aston Villa man "did okay" for a 6/10, he was outshone by his Crystal Palace counterpart who earned a 7/10 rating.

Durha said of Guehi: "He is an established first choice centre half now for England and very trustworthy."

Midfield contrast

Conor Gallagher didn't have the best start to the match, with Durham one of many to call him out for a needless 11th minute yellow card.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder was given the lowest rating of any player, with Durham explaining: "Another one who had a stupid booking early on. He hasn't made himself undroppable and didn't really catch the eye, he didn't shine. He gets a 4/10 from me."

However, the two other prongs in England's midfield three both took home 9/10 ratings with Jones scoring, and Jude Bellingham as good as finding the net as his strike bounced off the post and in off Odysseas Vlachodimos' back for a 2-0 lead.

"A goal on debut, and what a cute finish, he made it look easy at times, I'm a massive Curtis Jones fan, so I'm biased," Durham said of the Liverpool man.

One Bellingham, he said: "He was outstanding all night, he dragged England forward, committed to the cause, gave his all. He surged upfield for that second goal."

'Unplayable' down the wings

Anthony Gordan picked up an 8/10 as he staged some "electrifying wing play in the first minute and he caused big trouble when on the ball."

However, on the other side it was Noni Madueke who lit up the Olympic Stadium and Durham's eyes.

He added: "He was brilliant, unplayable, always wanted the ball and caused havoc. He set up the first goal as well. 9/10."

Madueke set up Watkins for the opener, but in Durham's eyes, it was more about the assist, giving the striker a 6/10, which he justified by saying: "He scored a goal early on, missed a great chance end of the first half, but quiet apart from that and replaced after 65 minutes."

'7/10 debuts'

Along with Jones, Lewis Hall and Morgan Rogers both made their England debuts as substitutes and were rewarded with 7/10 ratings.

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Hall "played the whole of second half for his England debut, had work to do and did it well," while Rogers "was instrumental to the third goal on his debut."

'Capable of more'

Of the final three substitutes, Jarrod Bowen was "steady when he came on but capable of more," for a 5/10 rating, while 6/10 captain Harry Kane was "Dropped without a strop, and was a positive when he came on. That's the England captain."