THE NOTEBOOK: Levi Colwill close to summer call-up as Gareth Southgate looks to boost defensive options, hundreds of England fans miss kick-off after nightmare journey... and Jude Bellingham is a midfield dynamo
- Colwill is a player both Southgate and his No 2 Steve Holland admire
- Fans furious amid accusations coaches were driving in wrong direction
- There is a different dynamic to England when Bellingham is in the team
Harry Kane became England's record international goalscorer as his side began their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign by beating reigning champions Italy 2-1 in Group C on Thursday.
England's skipper struck a penalty past Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma shortly before half-time to make it 2-0 after Declan Rice opened the scoring after 13 minutes.
Debutant Mateo Retegui halved the deficit in the 56th minute as the hosts responded after the break.
England held on to claim their first victory over Italy on Italian soil for 62 years despite having Luke Shaw sent off for receiving two yellow cards.
Sportsmail's SAMI MOKBEL takes a look at some of the things you may have missed.
Colwill close to summer call-up
There is every chance Brighton defender Levi Colwill, on loan from Chelsea, earns his first England call-up for the summer fixtures against Malta and North Macedonia.
Gareth Southgate, at least privately, acknowledges his central defensive options need refreshing.
Levi Colwill (right) could offer an alternative to mainstays John Stones and Harry Maguire (left)
But the England manager is aware that genuine alternatives are scarce.
John Stones and Harry Maguire remain mainstays for the national team, both started here in Naples.
But Colwill is a player both Southgate and his No 2, Steve Holland admire.
He may have made the current squad had injury not prevented any realistic chance of selection.
His ability to pass accurately through the lines is seen as a key attribute by England staff, while the fact he is left-footed brings the added bonus of balance.
England fans miss kick-off
Thankfully, the threat of violence did not materialise as events off the pitch passed without major incident.
But hundreds of England supporters were left furious following a nightmare journey to the stadium, which left many struggling to make kick-off amid accusations coaches were driving in the wrong direction.
Jude is a midfield dynamo
There is not much we can say about Jude Bellingham that has not already been said.
Quality and work ethic is a lethal combination — this supremely gifted 19-year-old is overflowing with both.
There is a different dynamic to England when he is in the team.
His touch map (below, right) shows he was a force all over the midfield for England.
Bellingham's touch map shows he was a force all over the midfield for England
Italians honour legend Vialli
In addition to a moving pre-match tribute, Italy’s players honoured legendary striker Gianluca Vialli by wearing a special shirt — which carried the message ‘Luca, Azzurro per sempre’, which translates to ‘Luca, forever blue’ — on the back of the collar.
Shaw gone in 54 seconds
There were just 54 seconds between Luke Shaw’s two yellow cards that saw him sent off for time wasting and a tackle from behind.
Phil Foden lasted just 12 minutes on the pitch as he was sacrificed for defender Kieran Trippier.
Rashford recovers in New York
Marcus Rashford took to social media on Thursday to reveal he is taking some ‘Downtime’ in the Big Apple.
The Manchester United forward is in the form of his life and would likely have started this game had he not withdrawn from the squad.
But the injury has not prevented Rashford from flying to New York.
It remains to be seen whether Rashford will be fit for United’s match against Newcastle on 2 April.
Marcus Rashford shared pictures from New York during his time away from the England camp
