CONOR GALLAGHER was consoled by his girlfriend after being brutally hooked by Gareth Southgate in England’s final Euro 2024 group match.
The Chelsea midfielder started the Three Lions’ final Group C match against Slovenia ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But he was substituted at half time after failing to make the impact manager Gareth Southgate had hoped for.
England were held to a 0-0 draw, a result which prompted some angry fans to boo and throw BEER at Southgate.
Gallagher, like several players, cut a dejected figure after the final whistle.
Although he was briefly cheered up by his girlfriend, Aine May Kennedy, who embraced him after the final whistle.
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Kennedy was one of several Wags in attendance at the Cologne Stadium to cheer on their other halves.
Bukayo Saka’s partner Tolami Benson was in the friends and family section and rocked an England tracksuit top.
Megan Davison and Ellie Alderson, the wife and girlfriend of Jordan Pickford and Ollie Watkins, posed for a selfie together in their matching home Three Lions shirts.
Jarrod Bowen, Luke Shaw, Anthony Gordon and John Stones were cheered on by their girlfriends Dani Dyer, Anouska Santos Annie Keating and Olivia Naylor.
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Skipper Harry Kane was supported by his wife Katie Goodland, who wore his No.9 shirt.
Watkins, who replaced Kane in last Thursday’s draw with Denmark, was quick to find long-time girlfriend Anderson after the final whistle.
England player ratings: Southgate’s Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs Slovenia
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
And the Aston Villa hitman embraced the mother of his two children with a kiss on the lips.
Despite back-to-back draws against Denmark and Slovenia, England ended up running out Group C winners with five points to their name.
After the final whistle, Southgate said: “I thought we were much improved with the ball.
“We have created some good openings and at the moment it is hard work for us.
“We are not quite getting that break in front of goal. I think the players who came on did well.
“I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment
“We tried to win the game by the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch.”
When pressed on having cups of beer thrown at him, he said: “I understand it.
“I’m not going to back away from it.
“The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team.
“I understand the narrative towards me and that’s better for the team than it being towards them.
“But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar.
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“I understand it, I’m not going to back away from it.
“But I’m very proud of the players for how they’re operating within it.”
England need superhero Bellingham back to have any chance of winning Euro 2024
JUDE BELLINGHAM delivered a masterful, super-hero performance in the opening 45 minutes at Euro 2024, writes Charlie Wyett.
Yet we have not seen much from the boy wonder since.
Maybe he left his cloak in the dressing room at Gelsenkirchen and is still looking for it.
But he needs to discover in time for the last 16 tie this weekend otherwise England are knackered.
Approaching the serious part of Euro 2024, this team really does need to get a grip and start showing some personality.
At times against Slovenia, Bellingham just looked lost.
Let’s hope he can sprinkle some stardust in the knockout stages because Gareth Southgate certainly needs something.
Bellingham should come good. This could still be HIS tournament.
Read Charlie Wyett’s England vs Slovenia verdict in full.
Or check out all of Charlie’s Euro 2024 stories.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
