• England v Pakistan, Hockey World Cup

England victory marred by injury

Jonty Clarke scored once in each half to help England to their third victory in New Delhi © Getty Images

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England 5-2 Pakistan

England maintained their position at the top of their World Cup group with a 5-2 victory over Pakistan, but the win was marred by an injury to defender Richard Mantell.

England stormed to a 2-0 half-time lead, but were pegged back by Pakistan. However, two goals from captain Barry Middleton ensured they maintained their winning start.

England made a busy start and James Tindall nearly gave them an early lead. The Surbiton striker instinctively swatted the ball past Salman Akbar, but after a Pakistan team referral the goal was disallowed after Tindall was deemed to have lifted his stick.

Pakistan settled into the game, enjoying much of the early possession, and fashioned a fine chance when Rehan Butt looked to have a one-on-one situation with England goalkeeper James Fair, only for defender Ali Wilson to steal in and put the striker off.

But it was England who took the lead in the 20th minute, Jonty Clarke deflecting the ball into the Pakistan net, diving at full stretch to meet Tindall's cross from the left. England had Fair to thank for keeping the Pakistan strikeforce at bay.

And they went into the break 2-0 to the good after Ashley Jackson managed to get a touch on captain Barry Middleton's ball in. But Pakistan got back into the match shortly after half time, Shakeel Abbassi taking the ball calmly around the diving Fair.

Richard Mantell was stretchered off with a suspected brokem leg © Getty Images

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Pakistan drew level after Shakeel Abbasi finished a penalty corner routine, a move that saw England lose defender Mantell who was taken out from behind. He was stretchered off with a suspected broken leg.

With Pakistan back on level terms and a key defender missing, things went from bad to worse when England were reduced to ten men after Iain Mackay was shown the yellow card for a retaliation.

But despite being a man down, England restored their lead when Richard Alexander stole the ball to set his captain up to put them back in front.

Tindall had the chance to give England a two-goal advantage, showing good pace to beat the Pakistan defence, but his reverse-stick shot went well wide. But with less than ten minutes left on the clock, Clarke scored his second, his strike sneaking inside the near post of Akbar.

And then Clarke turned provider when he spotted Middleton on the near post, and his ball in was neatly deflected over the keeper to put the game beyond Pakistan.

After Australia's 12-0 thrashing of South Africa earlier in the day, England remained on course for a semi-final spot, going top of Pool B as the only team with three wins. Spain beat India 5-2 to maintain their push for a place in the final four.

England's next match is against India on Saturday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.