That first Euro 2020 goal eluded Harry Kane again, but we cannot accuse England’s No 9 of looking sluggish.
Not like we did after those first two substandard performances against Croatia and Scotland. Kane shrugged off the criticism from those outings.
He walked out at Wembley like a striker who wanted to show why he remains Gareth Southgate’s obvious option at the top of the team.
Harry Kane showed why he's England's first name on the team-sheet against Czech Republic
The Three Lions' No.9 had a much improved performance after struggling against Scotland
Maybe there were some nerves at the start of this match, because he seemed to revert to ‘deep’ mode. Kane could be seen dropping towards the halfway line at times.
But what helped push him up that pitch was the exciting introduction of Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka to England’s line up. This Czech Republic side were so vulnerable to their direct runs in that first half.
Southgate’s side seem so much more dangerous when they are on the charge instead of trying to pass an opponent into submission, Manchester City-style. Grealish and Saka played with purpose, and that drove Kane up the pitch, too.
He would have scored, too, were it not for Czech goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik producing that smart save. He cleverly chopped the ball back on to his preferred right foot to escape his marker, but just couldn’t squeeze the shot beyond Vaclik.
Kane went close with a superb chance in the first-half, but he's getting closer to his first goal
If his team-mates keep creating chances then the lethal finisher will soon finish one of them off
Special mention must go to Harry Maguire for his driven pass in creating that chance. Kane has needed more of that from his team-mates. This is the best striker in England we’re talking about.
Create chances for him and give or take the odd miss or save, it’s likely he'll get you a goal in return. Kane is
