England secured a solid if unspectacular victory over Austria in their first warm-up game for Euro 2020 on a routine night for Gareth Southgate's side on Wednesday.
Several players were absent due to recent European commitments with their clubs, leaving England's manager to pick a different lineup to what will likely start the tournament.
And it was a frustrating evening for the Three Lions who started the brighter, pegging Austria back and zipping the ball around at pace, but struggled to find much of an end product.
Harry Kane smashed a left-foot shot straight at the goalkeeper which you'd normally expect him to put away, but otherwise chances were limited.
The hosts finally found the breakthrough early in the second half, launching a quick counter attack involving a neat interchange on the edge of Austria's box, and ending with Bukayo Saka finishing off a loose ball into the unguarded net which proved to be the winner.
Austria did have chances of their own, though, with Jordan Pickford tipping Marcel Sabitzer's shot onto the crossbar before being called into action with a save late on, and Southgate will hope better performances are to come.
England's night was then marred by a concerning injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold which leaves Southgate sweating over his fitness.
Here are the talking points from the Riverside Stadium.
1. Stick with 4-2-3-1
Gareth Southgate has previously suggested on numerous occasions that England are likely to play with five at the back at the summer tournament.
However, as the Euros has drawn closer, the wealth of attacking talent at his disposal seems to have forced him into a rethink.
England's aggressive 4-2-3-1 formation, with Grealish pushing high up alongside Kane to press Austria in, is a welcome sight.
Jude Bellingham - one of two holding midfielders - was given a licence to push forward, too, as was Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
The Three Lions dominated the first half as a result, penning Austria into their own half, though finding the breakthrough proved a little more difficult, with some more pace down the flanks needed.
Yet this will not be the team which starts against Croatia, and with the likes of Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling still to be involved, it feels the most suitable system to utilise all of England's best players in one go.
There are drawbacks, of course, (Austria did nearly go in front thanks to England's openness), and if Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson can't prove their fitness we may well see a more defence-minded approach after all.
But this display offers hope to England fans that they might just see the attacking performance they have craved at a major tournament, yet have rarely witnessed.
2. Jack is the Ace
If Jack Grealish's recent injury threatened his chances of starting England's first match of the tournament, his performance against Austria gave Southgate a firm reminder of the danger he presents.
The Aston Villa skipper was given a free role behind Kane and looked in his element, prodding and probing at every turn, driving forward with purpose, a drop of the shoulder and he was gone, slaloming past defenders with ease.
He set up England's best chance of the first half, sliding Kane in with a nice through ball which should have been 1-0, and with Austria sitting deep, Grealish looked the most likely to find the key to the door.
The Premier League's most fouled player does also possess that knack of well, being fouled.
Grealish was chopped down three times in the first half, even forcing the referee to brandish a rare yellow card in a friendly.
And it is that ability to win free-kicks so frequently - particularly with England's threat from dead ball situations - which could be a crucial weapon.
3. Defensive lapses
For all England's dominance they were fortunate the game didn't end in a draw or even defeat.
Several defensive lapses in defence offered Austria opportunities to find the net which, against better opposition, would have been punished.
Pickford was called into action twice, while a missed header in the box by Dominic Calvert-Lewin could have been a lot worse.
Ben White then cleared a shot off the line at the death moments after Pickford almost handled outside of the box.
England still don't have their best back four available, but on this evidence, there are issues to be ironed out before the tournament kicks off.
4. Trent injured
After all the focus on his place in the squad, Trent Alexander-Arnold left the field with an injury late on which could scupper his Euro 2020 hopes.
The Liverpool star pulled up with minutes left on the clock clutching his left thigh with what appeared to be a muscle injury as he limped round the field with a sour expression on his face.
It will be a bitter blow for the defender if it rules him out of contention after a decent display at right-back.
He provided his usual deadly outlet on the flank, offering an attacking threat, especially from his set pieces which were delivered with venom.
But he also did the defensive side well - something that has always been a question mark over him.
It may well be the only chance he gets before the tournament opener as well, given Kyle Walker and Reece James are back involved on Sunday, while Kieran Trippier was fine at left-back but won't play there when it comes to the games that matter.
England's manager has a big decision to make at right-back, but Alexander-Arnold may no longer be part of the discussion.
5. Bellingham can play a part
He may only be 17, but Jude Bellingham certainly looks every inch the England player and is not just coming along for the ride.
Between him and midfield partner Declan Rice, it was the youngster who stood out with a mature and accomplished stint in the centre of the park.
Bellingham made the crucial intervention to break up Austria's attack and set England on their way to score.
With Henderson facing a battle to be fit in time, it could well be that Bellingham gets the nod for the opening game, and few would really argue.
Southgate has hailed him as one of the bright sparks of England's future. Maybe that future is now.
What did you make of England's performance? Have your say below.
