ENGLAND edged past Australia 1-0 at Wembley thanks to a second-half Ollie Watkins strike.
Gareth Southgate‘s men laboured for much of the evening as fans were reminded what a meaningless international friendly looks like.
GettyOllie Watkins tapped home the winning goal for England against Australia[/caption]
ReutersWatkins now has three goals in eight games for England[/caption]
Ollie Watkins went closest for the hosts in the first half when he latched onto a through ball and took it round Mat Ryan but could only hit the post.
Australia then went desperately close themselves and would have gone in front through Ryan Strain but for a goal-line clearance from Lewis Dunk with Sam Johnstone well beaten.
And Watkins settled the match after the break when he got on the end of Jack Grealish‘s low drive to tap home.
Here is how SunSport’s Dylan Terry saw the performances of the England players.
SAM JOHNSTONE – 6
Made a good save to deny Keanu Baccus’ deflected effort early on.
Had very little else to do but will celebrate a clean sheet in his first England appearance since 2021.
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 6
Played as a midfielder in possession and a right-back out of possession, giving England the licence to flick between a back three and back four.
His range of passing remains one of – if not the – best in the England squad.
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LEWIS DUNK – 7
Clearly a vocal leader in the back line despite it being just his fourth England cap.
Played some impressive long passes out wide and over the top to the forward players. Then produced an outstanding goal line clearance to prevent Australia from taking the lead.
Looks to be the obvious option alongside John Stones should Southgate move away from Harry Maguire.
FIKAYO TOMORI – 6
Showed his electric pace in a foot race with Aussie striker Mitchell Duke.
Seemed a little flat-footed to react to some of the movement going on around him.
LEVI COLWILL – 5
Showed he was fired up for his England debut when he got himself in an altercation with Baccus and earned a first-half yellow card.
Got caught napping and was then turned far too easily when Australia created a superb opportunity on the stroke of half-time.
Does possess the ability to move from left-back to centre-half in a back three when Alexander-Arnold progresses into midfield.
JORDAN HENDERSON – 4
Looked slow and lethargic in the middle of the park. Barked more orders than he made meaningful contributions.
Was booed off by some of the England fans as he made way in the second half.
PAJordan Henderson, second from left, was booed by some of his own fans at Wembley[/caption]
CONOR GALLAGHER – 4
As ever, a lot of energy and running without anything of any real substance.
Was hooked on the hour mark after failing to stake a claim to be in Southgate’s best XI.
APConor Gallagher, left, struggled against Australia[/caption]
JAMES MADDISON – 6
Struggled to find the space in between the lines that he waltzes into so frequently for Tottenham, but on the few occasions he did he looked dangerous.
Was taken off in the 73rd minute and may feel a little underwhelmed with his performance in the No10 shirt.
JARROD BOWEN – 6
Kept things neat and tidy in the opening 45 minutes but saw little of the ball as most of the play came down the left flank.
Produced a lovely change of pace to get to the byline and pull it back for Maddison who saw his shot blocked.
OLLIE WATKINS – 8
One of the few bright sparks of the night.
Worked tirelessly for the team and was unlucky not to score earlier in the evening when he hit the post after rounding Ryan.
Held up the ball impressively to bring others into play and was always a danger in behind.
Eventually got his goal, poaching at the back post from a driven Grealish effort.
Should now be considered the preferred understudy to Harry Kane.
Watkins now has eight goals in 12 games for club and country so far this seasonAlamy
JACK GREALISH – 6
Too negative when he got an Aussie defender one-on-one. Often looked to play backwards or slow down the attack rather than make something happen.
Salvaged his display just before he came off with the assist for Watkins’ tap in.
SUBS
JOHN STONES (FOR TOMORI, 61) – 6
Offered some calm to the back line as England came under pressure for a short period.
Was given some valuable minutes playing alongside Dunk who could well be his centre-back partner at the Euros.
KALVIN PHILLIPS (F0R GALLAGHER, 61) – 6
Kept things simple and saw the game out sitting in front of the back three/four.
KIERAN TRIPPIER (FOR HENDERSON, 61) – 5
Uncharacteristically gave the ball away in a dangerous area moments after coming on.
MARCUS RASHFORD (FOR GREALISH, 61) – 6
Looked to stretch the Aussies with his pace but lacked a cutting edge.
PHIL FODEN (FOR MADDISON, 73) – 6
Seemed eager to impress when he came on, sprinting after every loose ball, but ultimately only contributed a couple of tidy passes.
EDDIE NKETIAH (FOR WATKINS, 73) – 6
Had very few opportunities to show his worth on his England debut.
Unused subs: Pickford, Maguire, Walker, Guehi, Rice, Kane, Ramsdale, Bellingham.
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