England stepped up their preparations for Euro 2020 with a 1-0 win over Austria at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium.
Bukayo Saka scored his first senior international goal to give England the lead on 57 minutes, putting the finishing touches to a fine free-flowing move involving Jack Grealish, Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard.
However, England’s night soured when Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off with an injury a few minutes from time, before Ben White spared Jordan Pickford’s blushes by making goal-line clearance in stoppage time.
Here is how England’s fringe players fared:
Bukayo Saka – 7/10
Saka took a while to grow into the game but was far more effective after the restart. The Arsenal youngster showed his skill, speed and tenacity by regaining his feet and latching onto a loose ball after being brought down by a cynical foul from Stefan Lainer, only for the right back to bring him down seconds later.
He had a simple task of placing the ball into an empty net for England’s opener but showed good awareness to keep up with the play and then the composure to finish it off.
Jack Grealish – 8/10
No player wants to be subjected to numerous fouls from the opposition but it is a back-handed compliment if they are on the receiving end of such treatment. During the opening 45 minutes, Jack Grealish was repeatedly felled by an Austrian side that appeared to have missed the memo that this was only a friendly.
On the rare occasions that he remained upright, Grealish did well, demanding the ball from his teammates and driving at the heart of the Austrian defence. Played a key part in Saka’s goal, sliding the ball out to Harry Kane before continuing his run and drawing two defenders towards him to leave the teenager with a tap-in.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10
Trent Alexander-Arnold would have hoped for a productive evening after all the furore surrounding his selection and he almost made the perfect start with a fierce strike from Harry Kane’s raking pass forcing Daniel Bachmann into an acrobatic stop inside the opening five minutes.
A late lapse in concentration from a long ball over the top went unpunished and that moment demonstrated why he hasn’t secured a starting spot under Southgate. Alexander-Arnold hobbled off a few minutes of time after suffering an injury while making a clearance and could now be a doubt for the the tournament.
Tyrone Mings – 5/10
Should Harry Maguire lose his race to be fit to face Croatia on 13 June, there will be a position alongside John Stones that needs filling. Unless Southgate has a surprise up his sleeve, one of Conor Coady or Tyrone Mings will get the nod.
Both largely acquitted themselves well albeit against limited opposition. However, Mings was guilty of committing a bizarre and utterly needless forearm smash on Sasa Kaladzic inside the penalty area. Had VAR been in play, as it will be in the Euro’s, he would surely have been punished for that rush of blood.
Jude Bellingham – 7/10
Jude Bellingham became England’s youngest starter in 18 years since Wayne Rooney on his third senior cap and once again delivered a display that belied his years.
With concerns over Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips’ readiness for the start of the tournament due to recent injury issues, it isn’t out of the question that Bellingham will be required against Croatia. Despite his age, he looks more than ready to make an impact at a major tournament.
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from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3g3rUrR
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