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Harry Kane tells England team-mates they weren't good enough after defeat to France
HARRY KANE slammed England’s performance as 'not good enough' as they were outclassed by 10-man France in Paris.
Harry Kane took his tally to 11 goals in five games for club and country
Gareth Southgate’s team were undone by Didier Deschamps’ youthful and pacey side, as goals by Samuel Umtiti, Djibril Sidibe and Ousmane Dembele ended England’s season on a low note.
England had actually taken the lead at the Stade de France when Kane scored after only eight minutes.
The Tottenham striker then pulled them level at 2-2 with a penalty but France, whon played for the last 43 minutes with only 10 men after Raphael Varane was sent off, were still the better team and the brilliant Dembele’s winning goal 12 minutes from time was not more than France deserved.
Kane’s assessment was brutally honest, as he said: “Scoring twice in France should be enough. We have got to find a way to win that. We just weren’t good enough.
Ousmane Dembele scored the winner for France late on
Harry Kane had got England off to a flying start with the game's first goal
Scoring twice in France should be enough. We have got to find a way to win that. We just weren’t good enough
"They were getting too much space in vital areas, even with ten men.
“We want to be brave and play from the back and mistakes will happen. It’s disappointing.
“We were in the driver’s seat but we didn’t step it up another gear. Not good enough.”
England had been lucky to escape from Glasgow with a 2-2 draw thanks to Kane’s injury-time equaliser in the World Cup qualifier against Scotland at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Paul Pogba impresses fans by passing the ball against England
But in Paris there was no respite. It was the first time England have conceded three goals in a game in five years – but the truth was the defeat could have been even heavier, with Real Madrid and Arsenal target Kylian Mbappe also outstanding.
England’s best players on a disappointing night were their forward, Kane scoring twice, Tottenham team-mate Dele Alli making both goals, and winger Raheem Sterling also impressive.
France coach Didier Deschamps said: “The penalty against us was harsh.
"It was a disaster scenario for us with 10 players but we responded well against a good England team.
"Dembele played well. He moved well and he hurt England. We had more legs.”
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