Player ratings as Palmer scores first international goal

England has begun its preparations Euro 2024 as second-half goals from Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane gave them a straightforward victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park on Monday night.

A forgettable game sprang to life when Palmer grabbed his first shot for the Three Lions in the penalty area before Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold scored the second with a well-placed volley.

Some six-yard pinball games saw regular captain Kane net his 63rd goal to give his country victory.

Gareth Southgate’s side have another game against Iceland on Friday night before their campaign in Germany kicks off with their Group C opener against Serbia.

How did the game happen?

England’s much-changed XI includes debuts for the likes of Palmer, Eberechi Eze and Ollie Watkins as they each aim to send a message to manager Gareth Southgate in the first of two pre-Euro 2024 friendlies.

However, there was no start to the management’s roar. While Alexander-Arnold produced a few wonderful passes and Eze easily beat some opposition challenges, there was some disruption at the back that could have been punished by teams of higher pedigree.

Rugged center forward play from Watkins gave the Aston Villa star a chance to start. The former Brentford striker fought off the challenge and ran away, although Bosnia and Herzegovina goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj stood tall enough to make the save.

The impressive Eze did well to drive forward and find Palmer, the ball eventually falling to Chelsea team-mate Conor Gallagher who lifted his shot over the bar.

The visitors’ clear tactics undoubtedly made for a worse-than-expected first half and the half-time whistle blew for England knowing they still had a lot to do to get their summer preparations off to a good start.

No changes came at the start of the second half with Southgate clearly looking to give his other fringe attackers a big look, but it took a mistake from Benjamin Tahirovic to give the Three Lions the chance to open the scoring.

The Ajax midfielder jumped on Ezri Konsa’s shirt in the corner and was awarded a penalty after VAR consultation. Palmer, who is famously cool when playing for Chelsea, sealed his first international goal with a superb finish that Vasilj was able to deflect.

The former Manchester City striker was absent after Southgate made changes, bringing in the likes of Kane and James Maddison as well as debutants Adam Wharton and Jarrad Branthwaite.

A more familiar line-up began to provide more fluidity and rhythm to England’s attacking play, with Kane forcing a flying save with a feeble strike from distance.

England’s improvement in the second half led to a second goal, this time scored by Alexander-Arnold. Substitute Jack Grealish floated a perfect pass to the 25-year-old, whose volley was well placed enough to slot into the far corner from an acute angle.

The win is locked behind Kane. Konsa made an inadvertent block on Jarrod Bowen’s goal but the rebound fell straight to Kane, who headed it over the line despite Vasilj taking a stab.

GK: Jordan Pickford – 5/10 – Showed a worrying drop in concentration early on and had no shots on target to deal with.

RB: Ezri Konsa – 7/10 – He often won the ball at the back and was solid down the right, although he couldn’t contribute much in the final third.

CB: Lewis Dunk – 7/10 – He did well to set things up at the back and misplaced a few of his passes.

CB: Marc Guehi – 7/10 – It was not tested in the same way in medium protection and it came out after an hour.

LB: Kieran Trippier – 7/10 – The England captain showed his brilliance on the left on the night, although it hindered some of his chances going forward.

CM: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 9/10 – He showed his best passing all night and got his third England goal with a brilliant volley behind the bar.

CM: Conor Gallagher – 7/10 – The Chelsea midfielder’s tenacity in the middle of the park gave Bosnia and Herzegovina little chance to make up ground throughout the night.

RW: Jarrod Bowen – 6/10 – It was undoubtedly a missed opportunity for the West Ham United midfielder, who might have scored his first international goal had his effort not been blocked by Konsa.

AM: Cole Palmer – 8/10 – England’s best moments in the first half came when Palmer linked up well with Eze. He then scored his first goal for his country in the penalty area before being quickly sent off.

LW: Eberechi Eze – 8/10 – He continued his impressive end-of-season form, always providing excitement with his performances on the clock which was difficult at times.

ST: Ollie Watkins – 6/10 – He fought well to get one good shot but was under a lot of pressure from the opposition’s back three.

What you are holding

Harry Kane (61′ for Watkins) – 7/10 – England’s eloquence improved shortly after Kane’s introduction. Naturally he got on the score sheet with a poacher’s effort in the box.

James Maddison (61′ for Palmer) – 7/10 – He drove to the edge of the box and played some good passes.

Adam Wharton (62′ for Trippier) – 6/10 – He looked relaxed during a great opportunity to taste international football for the first time.

Jarrad Branthwaite (62′ for Guehi) – 6/10 – He took reservations when he bowed to his English girlfriend.

Jack Grealish (63′ for Eze) – 7/10 – He helped improve England’s tempo and provided an assist for Alexander-Arnold’s strike.

Joe Gomez (73′ Dunk) – 6/10 – They had little defensive work to do following his introduction.

Subs used: Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Dean Henderson (GK), James Trafford (GK), Jarell Quansah, Curtis Jones, Declan Rice, Ivan Toney.