Gareth Southgate & Harry Kane’s classy response to Newcastle United star Nick Pope’s England error

Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane defended Nick Pope after his late error forced England to settle for a draw against Germany in their final game before the Qatar World Cup.

The Newcastle United goalkeeper - deputising for the injured Jordan Pickford - was helpless to prevent the Germans from taking a 2-0 lead.

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan scored from the penalty spot after Harry Maguire fouled Jamal Musiala in the box before Kai Havertz’s long-range strike.

England, however, mounted an impressive comeback with three goals in just 11 minutes through Luke Shaw, Mason Mount and Harry Kane from the spot.

Southgate’s side were on course for their first win in five games but Pope unfortunately spilled Serge Gnabry into the path of Havertz.

“It is an error, and of course he’s going to be down but the team has to be together and we have done that all week,” said Southgate.

“Tonight, in the end, a couple of errors have cost us the goals, but I’ll focus on the fact they played with tremendous spirit and showed a belief that we haven’t shown in the last few games. I thought the crowd saw that and rose to that.”

Three Lions captain Harry Kane added: “For sure, any individual mistake you’re going to be gutted.

“But we’re a team and you get behind each other, they learn from it and move on.

“They have been great for us every time they have put an England shirt on.”

Pope was visibly disappointed after failing to grasp his opportunity in Pickford’s absence but retains the full support of those on Tyneside.

The Newcastle fanbase have quickly taken to the 30-year-old following his summer move from Burnley after pulling off a number of top-class saves.

Pope won the Premier League’s inaugural Save of the Month award for his diving save at Brighton and Hove Albion.