SAVED BY THE BELL

Jude's bullet header gets Three Lions over the line as spurned chances make it a more nervy opener than Southgate hoped

- SCOTT BURNS

IT was a case of Hey Jude even though England weren't bang in tune as they made a winning start to the Euros.

Jude Bellingham's first-half header was enough to see Gareth Southgate's side jump to the top of Group C.

The Real Madrid star's goal was perhaps the only highlight of this opening tournament win.

England had opened up well but struggled for long spells.

Indeed, if Serbia had more quality in the final third, they could have taken something.

Slovenia's draw with Denmark earlier in the day means England have the early group advantage.

It's only their first game of the tournament but if the Auld Enemy want to go one step further than they did in the last Euros, they will need to get going right up the gears.

The Three Lions almost stalled in Schalke's home ground and Southgate knows he is under pressure to deliver.

Defeat in the Euro 2020 Final came on penalties to Italy before crashing out of the World Cup to France two years later.

And there is an expectancy he needs to get England over the line. They did just manage that last night... but will need to be better against Denmark come Thursday.

While this may have been their opening clash, you'd have thought England played in every game since Friday's opener.

BBC and ITV didn't need a second invitation to switch again from their focused match to talk about their beloved England.

It's been more about the Three Lions and then giving others an honourable mention. There is no escaping the England hype train. Most of the Tartan Army will be hoping, as per usual, it comes off the rails.

England legend Gary Lineker on television said: "We are biased, obviously!"