12 September 2023 , 22:12
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Gareth Southgate saluted a Jude Bellingham masterclass … but had to launch a passionate defence of Harry Maguire after the England defender’s latest own goal.
Bellingham produced a sensational individual display, scoring England’s second goal and laying on the third for Harry Kane in the 3-1 win over Scotland at Hampden Park. The Real Madrid star produced, arguably, his best display in an England shirt but although Southgate tried to share the praise amongst his squad, he admitted: “He (Bellingham) was excellent.
“We felt we could create an overload and we felt his powerful running and with Marcus (Rashford) in particular - that gave us a real outlet. He (Bellingham) is just a brilliant competitor - he isn’t concerned about the environment.”
And after struggling a little against Ukraine, Bellingham was happy to be back in the groove, saying: “I wasn't happy with how I played against Ukraine, it wasn't anywhere near my best and the motivation is always to get back to any best. I got somewhere close tonight.”
Bellingham doubled England’s first half lead after Phil Foden had opened the scoring. Harry Kane scored a late third but only after Maguire had put the ball into his own net after coming on as a substitute.
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Maguire was barracked mercilessly by the home fans and Southgate felt compelled to make a passionate attack on the Manchester United defender’s critics. He said: “From a Scotland fan’s point of view, I get it and I have absolutely no complaints, but it is a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly.
England boss Gareth Southgate delivered an impassioned response to Harry Maguire's critics (Channel 4)"I think our fans recognised that 'OK there might be a bit of heat from our supporters, but we're not going to have others getting into him'. But it is a joke. I have never known a player to be treated the way he is - not from the Scottish fans but by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is.
“They have created something that is beyond anything I have ever seen. He has been an absolute stalwart for us in the second most successful England team in decades and he's been a key part of that.
"I've talked about the importance of our senior players and every time he goes on the field the resilience he shows, the balls he shows is absolutely incredible. He's a top player and we're all with him and our fans were incredible with him tonight."