Ollie Watkins’s second-half goal gave England a 1-0 win over Australia in their Wembley friendly
There is unlikely to be any diversion from the tried and trusted when England return to Wembley to face Italy in qualifying for Euro 2024 on Tuesday. If Gareth Southgate was hoping to come away from this win overwith selection dilemmas, a disjointed display will surely only have left him even more certain about who will be in his starting XI in Germany next summer.
The issue is that Henderson is in a league short of intensity. It surely impacts a player’s condition. At 33, Henderson’s value to England is diminishing and Southgate must think carefully about his midfield. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham are certainties to start but who fills the third slot? Not Henderson on this evidence. Ultimately Southgate probably needs Kalvin Phillips to leave Manchester City in January and find regular football.
Their passing was loose. Bowen, handed his first cap since June 2022, wasted a chance to play Jack Grealish in on the left. Maddison sent a shot out for a throw. Australia had hope and they delivered another warning when Tomori lost track of Mitchell Duke, only for the striker to volley wide.