Gordon's goal continues debate over England's footballing identity

LONDON, Sept 26 : England winger Anthony Gordon's exhilarating counter-attacking goal against Spain on Saturday may have provided strong evidence for his argument that the home side should embrace their own strengths rather than try to imitate the world champions.

Days after saying England's DNA is built on direct and fast, aggressive football rather than the possession-heavy approach associated with Spain, Gordon embodied that philosophy with a superb 36th-minute goal in their 3-2 Nations League defeat.

England won the ball deep inside their own half and, within seconds, Jude Bellingham had surged forward and released Gordon, who sprinted clear and finished coolly past keeper Unai Simon.

"Kind of, if you want to phrase it that way," Gordon said when asked whether the goal reflected his vision for England. "I've been direct, playing to the English style, being quick, really putting teams on the back foot.

"(The goal) summed up what I said earlier this week which was quite nice, but it didn't lead to victory."

Gordon's strike sparked a four-minute burst that also produced Harry Kane's go-ahead goal, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead at Wembley.

Spain eventually recovered to win but Gordon left convinced England had shown they can compete with the top teams.

"We just lost to the best in the world. The gap is not big in my mind and I think tonight proved that," he said.

"When it went to 3-2 you see their ability to really control possession. I think against someone like that you have really got to go for the throat."

Playing in La Liga at Barcelona alongside and against some of Spain's finest, Gordon said he sees first-hand how different the Spanish approach is and that England should focus on their own strengths rather than