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Gareth Southgate's new-look England side struggled their way to a 1-0 victory over Australia.
Ollie Watkins, deployed as the lone striker in Harry Kane's absence, scored the winner when he turned Jack Grealish's cross-cum shot in at the back post in the second half. However, England rode their luck in the opening 45 minutes as Connor Metcalfe narrowly missed with a sharp volley, while Martin Boyle saw his effort scrambled off the line by Lewis Dunk.
However, considering it was a rather different starting-XI than usual, Southgate should be impressed with the resilience shown by many of the squad players. Daily Star Sport considers who impressed and who frustrated on a rainy evening in Wembley.
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James Maddison – Impressed
Barring one disastrous effort on goal, James Maddison relished the opportunity to be deployed in his favoured No.10 position. With Harry Kane being preserved for the clash against Italy, Maddison was the man entrusted to drop in-between enemy lines and create chances.
At times, he was the Three Lions' sole creator, as Conor Gallagher and Jordan Henderson mainly looked to protect the back four. His wonderfully weighted pass for Watkins chance in the first-half was a perfect demonstration of what he offers. He certainly offered a strong account of himself.
Ollie Watkins – Impressed
What players impressed or disappointed you against Australia? Let us know in the comments section below
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After scoring four goals and four assists in eight Premier League matches, Watkins deserved his call-up for the clashes against Australia and Italy. The Aston Villa forward had to be patient, as the Aussies' deep defensive line ensured he had little space to run in-behind.
One of the few opportunities he got to stretch his legs saw him latch onto Maddison's perfect pass, round goalkeeper Matthew Ryan, only for his left-footed effort to be cleared off the line. However, he did not let his head go down and was alert to convert Grealish's cross in at the back post to put England in the lead. If England do lose Kane to injury, then Watkins is a more than capable replacement.
Jordan Henderson – Did not impress
On this evidence, James Ward-Prowse has every reason to feel aggrieved about being left out of the squad. Southgate has shown great loyalty in his insistence of picking Henderson, despite his move to Saudi Arabian side El-Ettifaq in the summer.
While his vocal-leadership reverberated around the stadium, Henderson looked like a player who is no longer playing in the Premier League. Next to the jet-heeled and tireless Conor Gallagher, he looked sluggish in the Three Lions' midfield. A forgettable evening for him was summed up when he was booed off the pitch by the England fans – the case for him to be in the England squad for Euro 2024 is looking harder and harder to make.
Fikayo Tomori – Did not impress
Fikayo Tomori has everything the modern central defender needs. Unfortunately, he seemed to struggle with the more old-fashioned parts of the role. The AC Milan defender was pitted against an Australia side who peppered the England penalty area with long balls and crosses into the path of Mitchell Duke and Conor Metcalfe.
In the first-half, Tomori fell asleep and allowed Duke to get in front of him to fire a volley that whistled past Sam Johnstone's near post. He and Levi Colwill were also at sea when Boyle drifted to the back post and unleashed a point blank shot that was just cleared off the line by Lewis Dunk. The ex-Chelsea defender should have a bright future in the international team and the sooner he learns those lessons the better.
- England Football Team
- Gareth Southgate
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