It took an enormous Joe Gomez throw-in to kick start a comeback as England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley on Sunday.
The Three Lions came from behind late on to relegate their opponents to League B in the UEFA Nations League and get some revenge for last summer’s World Cup semi-final defeat.
Andrej Kramarić’s deflected shot put Croatia ahead in the 57th minute to punish England for squandering a string of first half opportunities.
Zlatko Dalić’s men proceeded to adopt a deep-lying setup and frustrate the hosts with a typically resilient defensive display.
England found an equaliser in the 78th minute when a huge Gomez throw-in caused chaos in the penalty area before ending up at the foot of Jesse Lingard for a simple tap-in.
Captain Harry Kane grabbed the winner seven minutes later when he poked home Ben Chilwell’s superb free-kick.
England are level! ⚽🏴
Gomez launches a throw into the box and it falls to Lingard who taps into an empty net! 💫
Watch the UEFA Nations League live on Sky Sports! https://t.co/mpLuCpvLs3 pic.twitter.com/UchOpL1RDk
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) November 18, 2018
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Reds immediately took to social media to draw on the possible influence of Liverpool’s throw-in coach Thomas Gronnemark, who was appointed to the new role back in August.
Gronnemark, who holds the world record for the longest throw, was predominantly introduced by Jurgen Klopp to improve the way his team uses the restart to start attacks.
News of his arrival was notably mocked by Andy Gray, who joked he wanted to become the first kick-off coach.
Talking on beIN SPORTS, he said: “I know how you can take advantage of a situation, throw it to one of your own players.”
“That would be No.1. No.2. Keep hold of the ball. Maybe we are going to see Andy Robertson do a headstand and take it.”
After seeing Gomez’s throw, fans wasted no time in getting their own back.
Remember when pundits laughed at Klopp hiring a throw-in coach?
— Drew Richardson (@DRichardson15) November 18, 2018
And some fans were laughing at LFC's throw-in coach. haha
— InstigatorDJ (@InstigatorDJ) November 18, 2018
Nobody's criticizing Liverpool's throw-in coach now, are they?
— Colin Spreag (@ColinSpreag) November 18, 2018
So who was the British pundits who laughed at #LFC for getting a throw-in coach. Gets England a goal.
— Damien (@floooaady) November 18, 2018
Liverpool's throw-in coach paying dividends for @England #ENGCRO #ThreeLions #SkySports #bbcfootball
— Dan Graves (@dangraveslcfc) November 18, 2018
As far as I’m concerned, Liverpool’s much mocked throw-in coach has just scored that England goal #ENGCRO
— Max Freeman-Mills (@maxfreemanmills) November 18, 2018
Where's Andy Gray to mock Liverpool's throw-in coach now?👀
— Cameron Hogwood (@ch_skysports) November 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/TomHolmes19/status/1064180621218590720
England's equaliser coming from a long Joe Gomez throw. Wonder if Andy Gray / Richard Keys still think the Liverpool throw in coach was a ridiculous waste of money?
— SW6 Stats (@SW6Stats) November 18, 2018
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