By Dominic King for MailOnline
Published: 21:39 GMT, 21 March 2019 | Updated: 21:44 GMT, 21 March 2019
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The result was not what Aidy Boothroyd wanted; there were elements of the performance, meanwhile, that will have left him shaking his head.
But it is likely there will come a point during the build-up to England’s assault on the Under-21 European Championships when the head coach will think about this night in Bristol and realise he has a group of players that can go all the way.
A 1-1 draw with Poland might not send a message across the continent but those who study the highlights of this interesting friendly will not fail to see that England has an abundance of attacking talent that could light up the championships.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates after putting England Under-21 in the lead against Poland Under-21
Everton striker Calvert-Lewin showed impressive composure to finish after he was set up by Reiss Nelson
The England Under-21 players congratulate Calvert-Lewin after he put them in the lead at Ashton Gate
Had it not been for some bad luck and inspired goalkeeping, England – inspired by the wonderful passing of Phil Foden and the electric surges of Reiss Nelson and Ademola Lookman – would have flattened their visitors.
It was quickly apparent this would not be a mundane contest. Poland, roared on by 2000 ex-patriots, had three chances in the first three minutes as England’s defenders made silly mistakes and struggled to gather their composure.
Soon, though, they were on the front foot with Foden elegantly pulling strings. He created England’s first chance in the fifth minute with a pass that could have come straight from the repertoire of his Manchester City team-mate David Silva. Calvert-Lewin, really, should have applied a finish.
