SUB STANDARD
Fans spot Jordan Pickford’s ‘baffled’ reaction to Southgate’s substitution in England’s Euro 2024 clash against Slovakia
The Three Lions boss' subs vs Slovakia were hotly debated
JORDAN PICKFORD appeared to wear a confused expression as Gareth Southgate made his second substitution against Slovakia.
The England boss, 53, left it late to make changes during his side's Euro 2024 round of 16 clash.
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Pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville called on Southgate to "rip up his plan" at half-time and try something new.
But he didn't make a change until the 66th minute, when he brought Cole Palmer on for Kieran Trippier, moving Bukayo Saka to left-back in the process.
His next substitution came in the 84th minute, and appeared to prompt some confusion.
Southgate's second roll of the dice saw him bring on Eberechi Eze for Kobbie Mainoo.
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As the change occurred, goalkeeper Pickford appeared to frown and hold his hands out in confusion.
Seeing the Everton stopper's reaction on TV, a social media user wrote: "Wait did Pickford and Stones just look confused at that sub??? Nah Southgate is too funny."
While a second added: "John Stones and Pickford are even confused with that Mainoo sub."
Southgate waited until four minutes into six added on to make his third change, throwing on Ivan Toney for Phil Foden.
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Just moments later, the Three Lions found a lifeline.
Kyle Walker's long-throw was flicked on by Marc Guehi, with Jude Bellingham volleying England level with a stunning overhead kick.
Gary Neville blasts Southgate's tactics 'should be illegal' and demands THREE England subs against Slovakia
England ratings: Bellingham rescues woeful Three Lions as big names, and manager, have a shocker
JUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.
Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.
But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.
Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.
But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.
It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.
Here's how Tom Barclay rated England's stars... and manager Southgate.
Jordan Pickford: 5
Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.
Kyle Walker: 4
England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.
John Stones: 4
Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.
Marc Guehi: 5
Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.
Kieran Trippier: 4
When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.
Declan Rice: 5
An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.
Bukayo Saka: 5
We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.
Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MAN
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.
Phil Foden: 4
Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.
Harry Kane: 6
Still way off his best - he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break - but got it right when it counted in extra time.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Cole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7
FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.
Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6
Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.
Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7
GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick - which he had won with his strength - had been cleared.
Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6
Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.
Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6
Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.
MANAGER
Gareth Southgate: 3.
A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike - and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time.
The match subsequently went into extra time, with Harry Kane scoring less than a minute after the restart.
At half-time of extra time, Southgate boldly subbed both of his goalscorers, replacing Bellingham and Kane with Conor Gallagher and Ezri Konsa.
The best of England vs Slovakia
CHECK out all the best action from England's rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.
England held on to win 2-1, scraping past Slovakia to book a quarter-final with Switzerland next Saturday.
Prior to today's match, Pickford had suffered an injury scare.
The Three Lions No1 appeared to hurt his left wrist in the warm-up, but was good to go come game time.
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