England defender John Stones slipped back into his old habits as his costly error gifted Poland an equaliser at Wembley.
However, the Manchester City man dusted himself down as he provided an assist for centre-back partner Harry Maguire, who crashed home the goal which ensured England won 2-1 in the World Cup qualifier.
England were cruising having taken a deserved lead thanks to Harry Kane’s penalty in a first half they dominated.
The Poles, who were without talisman Robert Lewandowski, barely laid a glove on Gareth Southgate’s men until the 58th minute when Jakub Moder equalised against the run of play.
It’s one that Manchester City star Stones won’t want to see again. He was dispossessed by Moder on the edge of the England box and the Brighton striker slotted past Nick Pope after playing a one-two with Arkadiusz Milik.
Stones knew he’d made a big mistake and even talkSPORT’s Stuart Pearce couldn’t defend his poor play.
Pearce said on commentary: “It was disastrous what he attempted to achieve and it left the goalkeeper absolutely bare.
Pearce said on commentary: “It was disastrous what he attempted to achieve and it left the goalkeeper absolutely bare.
“Really, really poor from John. They’ve had no chances whatsoever and we’ve gifted them a goal.”
The old Stones would have wilted. But this new and improved Stones played a key role in Maguire’s winner as his header at the back post laid off the Manchester United man.
Pearce was quick to heap huge praise on Stones for making up for his earlier mistake.
He added: “The two central defenders have done absolutely brilliantly, John Stones has atoned for his earlier mistake.
“He threw himself at the ball at the far post, pulled it back to Maguire with his head, flew off the pitch Stones and when it bounced up at around waist height Maguire showed brilliant technique… well done England.”