Successful was precisely what supervisor Southgate wished, however this was removed from good as England made laborious work of placing away a workmanlike however uninspiring Serbia.

The Euro 2020 runners-up regarded on target to comfortably dispatch Serbia after getting that early lead however, as so usually has been the case previously, there was a drop-off after half-time that inspired their opponents, Pickford coming to the rescue.

England had main positives within the performances of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who regarded refreshed and significantly harmful within the first half, whereas Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi did every thing required as John Stones’ new accomplice.

Southgate was insistent beginning with three factors was paramount within the group. The target was achieved however not with out leaving the supervisor points to pore over earlier than England play Denmark.

Alexander-Arnold confirmed how he can add an additional attacking dimension in midfield, however he additionally conceded possession in harmful territory, significantly when Aleksandar Mitrovic shot narrowly large within the first half.

England’s left aspect of Kieran Trippier and Phil Foden didn’t perform wherever close to expectation. Foden, a participant who carried out so fantastically in Manchester Metropolis’s Premier League title win, was an unusually peripheral determine.

For now, the win will fulfill Southgate, however there’s a lot to work on.