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PRAGUE: Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane were on target again as England saw off 10-man Czech Republic 2-0 to get their Nations League campaign up and running on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Thomas Tuchel\u2019s side lost an entertaining opener 3-2 against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday while the Czechs were beaten by Croatia.<\/p>\n
The home team kept England at bay in the first half at the Fortuna Arena despite being a man down but Gordon broke the deadlock shortly after the break and Kane gave England a cushion.<\/p>\n
\u201cDeserved victory,\u201d said Tuchel. \u201cIt\u2019s strange to get an early red card. It\u2019s not the best for the spectators, not the best for the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an awkward one but we got an important win and that\u2019s what counts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tuchel made four changes to his starting line-up from the weekend, bringing in Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold for his first start in almost two years.<\/p>\n
England dominated possession early in the contest but the home side had some bright moments on the break.<\/p>\n
Morgan Rogers, in for Jude Bellingham, struck the post after a brilliant swivel in the box after 15 minutes before Elliot Anderson and Bukayo Saka were denied as the ball pinged around.<\/p>\n
The game changed complexion in the 25th minute when Lyon midfielder Pavel Sulc was sent off for a high challenge on Anderson.<\/p>\n
He was initially given a yellow card but Turkish referee Umut Meler upgraded it to a red following a VAR check.<\/p>\n
The Czechs then switched into survival mode as England probed for openings around the box but they struggled to create meaningful chances.<\/p>\n
Captain Kane went close as the clock ticked into stoppage time at the end of the first half but goalkeeper Matej Kovar pushed his curling shot wide.<\/p>\n
The visitors finally broke the deadlock in the early moments of the second half when the lively Gordon headed Alexander-Arnold\u2019s pinpoint cross back across Kovar and into the net.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always an honor and a pleasure to represent my country,\u201d said Alexander-Arnold. \u201cIt\u2019s been a long time, but I\u2019ve always believed I can play for England.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was Gordon\u2019s third goal in three games for England, including one against Argentina in the World Cup semifinal defeat and another against Spain.<\/p>\n
Defender Lewis Hall came close to doubling England\u2019s lead minutes later but skewed his shot just wide while Czech captain Ladislav Krejci inadvertently diverted a Hall cross onto his own woodwork.<\/p>\n
Kane, who also scored against Spain, gave England breathing space midway through the second half, smashing the ball past Kovar after the ball fell to him in the box.<\/p>\n
Tuchel made a number of changes and England had a flurry of other chances but Kovar kept the tally down.<\/p>\n
The win takes England second in Group A3, three points behind Spain, who beat Croatia 4-1 in Seville.<\/p>\n
England travel to face Croatia on Saturday while the Czechs play Spain.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n