Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer press England claims as Bosnia beaten - 5 talking points
England came away 3-0 victors against Bosnia and Herzegovina as their EURO 2024 preparations got underway in earnest.
The first of England's two friendlies came in a rare match away from Wembley at St James' Park. Gareth Southgate used an untested side with Jordan Pickford the side's most experienced figure on the international stage.
As a result, a jilted performance was probably to be expected. It was not an outing full of fluency, as so often can be the case immediately before an international tournament.
Eberechi Eze and Cole Palmer offered flashes of excitement in a placid opening half before England set out with greater intention to press higher in the second period. It took Ezri Konsa's shirt to get pulled in the box for England to earn a penalty, and Palmer made no mistake from the spot after netting nine for Chelsea in 2023/24.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane ensured a more favourable scoreline by the end of the evening. Mirror Football takes a look at what we learned from the clash.
Team of contenders
Southgate's selection for the match against Bosnia saw few players who could be sure of their spot in the starting XI when the Three Lions campaign gets underway in little under two weeks. The England boss of course, was still short of some of his options following the Champions League final and time off afford to Man City and Manchester United stars but this lineup was full of players fighting for a starting spot, or fighting for a place in the squad.
Palmer and Eberechi Eze made the first starts for the side, and were quickly influential in England's attacking play lining up at the No. 10 spot and on the left respectively. Palmer found Ollie Watkins in a tight space within the opening time, while Eze was a lively regular outlet.
Eberechi Eze of England battles for possession with Haris Hajradinovic and Dario Saric
Jarrod Bowen too, was among the forward line as Bukayo Saka continues to recover from injury. The Irons starlet endured a quiet first half but came out of his shell in the second period.
Adam Wharton and Jarrad Branthwaite earned their debuts in the second period to continue their rise. Konsa's influence should not be underestimated as he featured in each position across the backline in 90 minutes.
Kane reassurance
There wasn't a start for the Bayern Munich forward but that he was on the bench should allay any fears over the injury issues which saw him miss. Southgate was always confident over Kane's return for the Euros but having just returned to training following a back problem, actions speak louder than words.
Kane's presence among the subsitutes while Anthony Gordon, who also suffered an end of season injury, was absent. The striker's arrival on the pitch after the hour mark offered England a greater outlet, with the captain happy to collect the ball with defender's between him and the goal too. Of course, a goal followed.
Trent Alexander-Arnold test
Liverpool's full back was once again tested in the centre of midfield as England attempt to ensure they have options to provide balance in the centre of the pitch to complement the likes Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. Conor Gallagher was his partner of Monday evening as Alexander-Arnold became a go-to option in the Three Lions' build-up play.
It was a tidy display from the 25-year-old without setting the world alight with his long-range attempts to quarter-back often just missed the mark for the likes of Eze and Watkins. It did show the dimensions that could be open when the team is running at full throttle however.
He was positioned higher upfield in the second period, as England looked to press the opposition which allowed his passing to pose more threat in the box. It's a display that will keep Southgate intrigued without cementing anything in his thinking - Alexander-Arnold's influence could yet grow throughout the coming tournament.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of England celebrates with teammate James Maddison
Alexander-Arnold's best have come from the right flank however, with a curling crossfield effort with 10 minutes remaining. Worth a goal in its own right. Liverpool's star soon earned one with a fine finish from a tight angle.
Jack Grealish's problem
The Man City star was included in England's preliminary squad despite a limited impact for the Premier League champions. Grealish made just 10 starts in the division under Pep Guardiola last term, and may feel his position is vulnerable.
Southgate's explaination for leaving the former Aston Villa star on the bench suggest it was because of Grealish's later arrival and that less was known about Eze. What Southgate learned may not have helped Grealish's case.
Jack Grealish of England celebrates following England's victory
The Crystal Palace ace offered a lot of what the Man City winger did for England earlier in his career. Fearlessness on the ball, and the ability to drive forward and draw fouls as a result.
With a more limited role at City, it remains to be seen whether Grealish can still offer that alternative option in the same way. The forward had 30 minutes to push his own claim and looked to make an impact with some incisive passing into the box, more of the same will be required.
Defensive hint
It is unlikely that England's backline of Konsa, Lewis Dunk, Marc Guehi and Kieran Trippier will be the one to start the tournament, but in selecting it, Southgate may have left a hint.
It was Palace star Guehi who was situation on the left side of the central partnership, despite Dunk also featuring more prominently in the position for Brighton. That could see Guehi as the favoured option to deputise or provide competition to Harry Maguire. One misplaced pass in the opening half is unlikely to see that change.
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