BBC

GARY LINEKER stopped Micah Richards from using a famous catchphrase live on air – and then declared that it was banned.The pair were both on duty for BBC to report on England’s 1-0 win over Serbia in their opening Group C clash at Euro 2024 tonight.England fans often claim that ‘It’s coming home’ only to suffer heartbreakCredit: GettyGary Lineker has banned ‘it’s coming home’ talk on BBCCredit: BBCJude Bellingham secured England a 1-0 win in their opening gameCredit: AFPAnd Gareth Southgate’s men had their Wags and loved ones cheering them on as they made a dream start to the tournament.Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross was headed home by Jude Bellingham from close-range after just 13 minutes in Gelsenkirchen.And that proved to be the decisive moment of the game as England held on to get the three points.Bellingham also made history by just starting the game, surpassing a long-held record by Michael Owen.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Before kick off, Lineker and Richards were talking in the Match of the Day studio in Berlin about what Southgate can do more to win over some certain sections of England supporters.Despite leading us to the World Cup semi final and the final of Euro 2020, some fans are still not convinced that he is the right man for the job.Richards said: “I think (a warmer reception) comes with him being bold.“Leaving (Jack) Grealish at home, leaving (Marcus) Rashford (out of the squad). We all would have had Grealish in our squad.Most read in Euro 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“Maybe fans were thinking ‘he’s a little bit safe’.“That’s what I would say. But he has done a brilliant job, he really has.Inside England’s stunning five-star Euro 2024 base with robot waiters that will cost £800,000How England rated vs Serbia… as Bellingham shines but TWO big names get 5s

JUDE BELLINGHAM was England’s head boy as Gareth Southgate’s side made a winning start in Germany.
The Real Madrid superstar oozed class throughout and broke the deadlock with only 13 minutes played thanks to an excellent header, dispatching Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross.
But, despite the brilliant start, it was a nervy affair here in Gelsenkirchen.
Serbia exerted significant pressure in the second half, with a few narrow escapes for Southgate’s men.
Harry Kane barely had a kick and the Premier League’s player of the year Phil Foden struggled to have any influence on the left of the Three Lions’ front three.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… with TWO stars getting just a 5.

“Harmony in the squad has been brilliant, just now with this emerging talent, if we could just bring it home…”Right at that point Lineker intervened, declaring that he did not want to hear any talk of football “coming home”.And he then went on to bar any BBC pundits from repeating that phrase again.Lineker said: “Here we go… that’s banned, that’s bad luck that thing… don’t say it.”The popular “It’s coming home” phrase stems from the hit Baddiel and Skinner song at Euro ‘96.It has remained one of the go-to songs for fans at tournaments ever since, despite our wait for silverware stretching back to 1966.And the motto has been famously mocked by other nations, including Germany way back in 1996 after they won the Euros at Wembley.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYItaly also took the mick after they beat England at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final, changing the tune to “It’s coming Rome”.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile England’s second half display showed that there is still plenty of work to do for Southgate, Bellingham’s effort at least ensured it was a winning start.And they can secure a place in the knockouts if they beat Denmark in their second group game on Thursday. More

THE BBC’s coverage of England’s win over against Serbia has been hit by a couple of issues.First, fans begged Beeb bosses to clean the filthy windows in their studio.BBC pundits had to deal with massive hornetsThings started well for England on the fieldCredit: GettyAnd then their pundits were attacked by hornets during the half-time break.Just as the players were returning for the second half, host Gary Lineker told viewers about their unwanted guests.Micah Richards quickly changed the subject as all he wanted to talk about was pitchside reporter Joe Hart’s tight shirt.The former England stopper’s fashion sense was not the only thing picked up on.READ MORE ON EURO 2024Fans claimed Hart’s bizarre arm tattoos made him “look like a zebra crossing.”England took the lead through Jude Bellingham before Harry Kane had touched the ball.The Three Lions flew out of the blocks and Jordan Pickford, in particular, was riled up before the game.BBC cameras captured England’s No1 stopper – who is being cheered on by his wife Megan Davison – firing up fans as he walked to the goal.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTrent showed he’s a central character for England… he deserves to keep spot, says Wilshere
THIS game felt a bit like an audition for Trent Alexander-Arnold in centre midfield, writes SunSport columnist Jack Wilshere.
I think he passed it and deserves another chance to show all the qualities that he can bring to the role.
I was pleased when I saw Trent in the starting line-up.
It’s a little bit braver than we have normally seen from Gareth Southgate and I like that.
It was: ‘Go on, go and play!’ It didn’t necessarily work out like that but that wasn’t Trent’s fault.
Southgate was experimenting with him in there, seeing if it worked.
If we get later in the tournament against the big teams, you will need someone who has played in there a few times and understands the position a bit.
The combination between Trent, Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka is a promising one.
You see Trent naturally drift over to that right side and receive it almost like a full-back.
It’s interesting what happens then with Walker.
He was still getting involved in and around the outside, which was good to see, and it was Walker who got forward to help create the Jude Bellingham goal.
That link-up is something we need to exploit more. We should probably have used it more last night as well.
At the start, he was a little bit shaky. He gave the ball away a couple of times, and one of them led to that decent chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic.
When he plays for Liverpool he comes inside. But it’s different when you’re in there from the start. It’s 360 degree pressure, from all sides.
I always found international football that bit quicker. You’ll often receive it with your back to the game and you’ve scanned, but you need to get more on the half turn to see what’s coming.
But it was difficult for Trent, especially in the first half, for him to show his range of passing. When you’re playing against a back five, with four in front, and they’re stubborn and just waiting . . . it is very hard.
There’s no space in behind, they’re very tight and organised.
And when the ball is going over your head, your job then becomes jumping on second balls, disrupting and trying to shield the big two up front.
Trent’s positioning was good and he made some good interceptions. I think he can — and should — hold on to the ball a bit more, draw the pressure, and then play the ball forward.
If someone comes to him, that frees up space for  someone else. And he and Declan Rice have the ability to find Bellingham and Phil Foden through the lines. I would like to have seen more of that. As the game opens up, Trent is a player who can pick the right pass.
Especially in transition, like he did with a lovely one down the side for Saka in the first half and another early in the second.
It was also good to see him get forward for a decent long-range shot.
But Trent was not helped by England’s performance in the  second half. We weren’t aggressive enough, we didn’t press well enough.
Trent’s audition lasted just under 70 minutes in the end. I believe  it is something Gareth should  persist with.
He is more than intelligent enough to work it out. And as the tournament goes on, I’m sure he will be fine in there.

Bellingham unveiled a new celebration after scoring.The playmaker and Trent Alexander-Arnold both took a knee and placed their palm over their face, with some fans saying it reminded them of WWE star Booker T.EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYWyett ratings England v SerbiaBellingham, 20, had a busy first half as he showed off the other side to his game.After dispossessing Filip Kostic of the ball he celebrated in the Serb’s face before shoving his opponent.The Juventus ace did not take kindly to the incident, and could be seen having a pop at Bellingham as he walked off.Serbia were much improved after the break but the Three Lions held on to triumph 1-0.BBC and ITV’s Euro 2024 line up in fullHere’s how each channel will line-up:
BBC presenters:
Gary Lineker, Alex Scott, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman
ITV presenters:
Mark Pougatch and Laura Woods 
BBC pundits:
Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Rio Ferdinand, Ellen White, Frank Lampard, Ashley Williams, Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart, Cesc Fabregas, Thomas Frank, David Moyes, Rachel Corsie and James McFadden
ITV pundits:
Ian Wright, Roy Keane, Gary Neville, Karen Carney, Graeme Souness, Eni Aluko, Ange Postecoglou, Danny Rohl and Christina Unkel
BBC commentators:
Guy Mowbray, Robyn Cowen, Vicki Sparks, Steve Wilson, Steve Bower and Jonathan Pearce
ITV commentators:
Sam Matterface, Clive Tyldesley, Seb Hutchinson, Pien Meulensteen and Joe Speight
BBC co-commentators:
Danny Murphy, Martin Keown, Jermaine Jenas and James McFadden
ITV co-commentators:
Lee Dixon, Ally McCoist and Andros Townsend More