Cole Palmer scored his first England goal from the Chelsea striker’s penalty that inspired a 3-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in Monday’s Euro 2024 warm-up.
Palmer marked his debut for the Three Lions with a clinical second-half penalty at St James’ Park in Newcastle.
In just his third appearance for England, the 22-year-old continued his brilliant Chelsea form to underline his place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro squad.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was England’s other standout player in the penultimate game before the start of the Euros in Germany.
The Liverpool star – again deployed in midfield rather than right-back by Southgate – scored England’s second goal, capping a spirited display.
Harry Kane, who came off the bench in the second half as he returned to form, scored the third goal in the dying seconds to put a flattering gloss on an inconsistent display from a weak England.
After drawing with North Macedonia in their final Euro qualifying match before losing to Brazil and drawing with Belgium in March friendlies, England’s first win in four games raised more questions than answers for Southgate.
Palmer, Alexander-Arnold and Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze have increased their chances of winning a place on the plane to Germany.
But Ollie Watkins, Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen may regret missing the opportunity to impress.
Southgate is set to cut seven players from his provisional 33-man squad by Friday’s deadline, when they play their final friendly against Iceland at Wembley that evening.
After several painful near-misses at major tournaments during Southgate’s reign, England are one of the favorites to win the Euros as they bid to lift a major trophy for the first time since the 1966 World Cup.
– Palmer Clinic –
Thirteen days before England’s Group C opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16, Bosnia’s visit to Tyneside began the countdown to the Euros.
But of Southgate’s starting XI, six had fewer than 10 caps, as Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were among those absent.
Palmer showed a flash of class with a deft pass to Watkins, but the Aston Villa striker was unable to find the accuracy to divert his shot past Bosnian goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj.
Causing panic in the Bosnian defense with his pace and movement, Eze threatened to open the scoring when he entered the box to shoot a shot that Vasilj deflected.
But England’s passing was heavy and their movement was very slow in a weak first half.
Watkins headed Alexander-Arnold’s corner just after the break, with Palmer deflecting a shot from close range and wide as England finally picked up the pace.
Southgate’s men were rewarded for their improvement with a 60th-minute penalty after Benjamin Tahirovic’s shirt tug left Ezri Konsa prone.
Palmer has scored nine penalties for Chelsea this season and emphatically scored his final penalty against Vasilj.
Jarrad Branthwaite and Adam Wharton made their England debuts, but neither had many opportunities to shine.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to start at the Euros, Alexander-Arnold scored his third international goal with an excellent shot from Jack Grealish’s cross in the 85th minute.
Kane had the last word, scoring from close range in the 90th minute after James Maddison’s pass was deflected to the England captain.
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