Harry Maguire offered his support to John Stones after the Manchester City defender’s error during England’s 2-1 win over Poland.
Harry Maguire said “John’s been brilliant this year. We’re defenders, we make mistakes and when we make mistakes, we get scrutinized. He’s had a brilliant year, he’s had a great camp as well. Obviously one little mistake, but he makes up for it with a great header at the back post. We’re defenders, we always make mistakes. We obviously don’t like making mistakes but sometimes we are at fault for goals. We’re not perfect by all means and John has made a little blip tonight, but he’ll come back strong. He’s in great form for club and country, he’s been brilliant over this camp and apart from the little mistake, I’m sure he won’t make it again soon. It was a big performance, coming back and reacting the way he did. To get the assist as well is so important for the team. It’s a big win. We’re playing to play at a World Cup. We started the game very well, but in the second half, we didn’t start well at all. In the first 15 to 20 minutes, they were the better team and put us under a lot of pressure. They changed the shape a little bit and it took us a little bit of getting used to. We took control when they equalised, it’s nice to get the victory. Nine points after three games in a short space of time and we’ve got a lot of players injured as well.”
The Three Lions secured a third consecutive win in World Cup qualifying thanks to the Manchester United defender’s late strike. Harry Kane had given England the lead but Poland equalised following a rare mistake from Stones as he was robbed of possession in the final third. The Manchester City centre-back then atoned for the error with a downward header which allowed Maguire to lash home the winner.
