Maguire Defends Stones Over Poland Error
Harry Maguire has leapt to the defence of John Stones after the Manchester City defender’s error led to Poland’s equaliser in the FIFA World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Wednesday.
England triumphed 2-1 on the day to take maximum points in their opening three games thanks to Harry Kane’s first half penalty and Maguire’s late strike after Jakub Moder had benefitted from Stones’ mistake to pull a Robert Lewandowski-less Poland level.
Stones atoned for his earlier error by getting the assist for Maguire’s winner, and the Manchester United defender was full of praise for his partner’s mental fortitude to come back stronger.
"John [Stones] has been brilliant this year," Maguire told ITV Sport, alluding to the Manchester City defender's emergence as a key player for Pep Guardiola's runaway Premier League leaders.
"Defenders make mistakes and when we do we get scrutinised. He's had a great year, a great camp as well. He made one little mistake but made up for it with a great header at the back post, that's what he's there for.
"I said to him to just keep going, keep going and we'll get the win and we managed to do that."
"We're defenders, we always make mistakes," Maguire added.
"Obviously, we don't like making mistakes but sometimes we are at fault for goals. We're not perfect, by any means, and John obviously had a little blip tonight.
"He will come back strong. He's in great form club and country, he's been brilliant over this camp and apart from that little mistake, which I'm sure he won't make again soon, it was a big performance from him to come back strong with the reaction he made and getting the assist is important for the team."
