IN THE PALMER OF GARETH'S HAND

Goal-king Cole leads late blitz for Southgate

- John Cross

IT WAS not always a performance to leave the rest of Europe quaking in their boots.

But as warm-up friendlies go, it eventually did the job for England even if it took an hour and a VAR decision to set them on course.

Cole Palmer marked his first start with the opener, followed up by his trademark celebration, rubbing his arms to warm himself because he was ice-cold from the penalty spot at St James’ Park.

After his outstanding season for Chelsea, Palmer might have given Gareth Southgate real food for thought.

He looks nailed on to make the final 26-man squad and is in good enough form to apply some pressure to the starting line-up.

Trent Alexander-Arnold struck a spectacular second goal and, after a hit-and-miss first half, might just have passed his midfield audition.

Harry Kane rounded it off with a late third to make the scoreline look like something of a hammering, when it felt more like a training exercise at times.