Paul Merson says England got 'BORED' of keeping the ball in scrappy win over Serbia after 'outstanding' start... and insists the Three Lions were 'hiding' during the second half

Paul Merson has given a damning verdict of England's display in their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia. 

The Three Lions made an electric start with Jude Bellingham heading them ahead after 13 minutes.

However, Serbia began to cause problems as England dropped deep, with Gareth Southgate's side overcoming a nervy second half to walk away with a 1-0 victory.

Merson - who made 21 international appearances between 1991 and 1998 - said it seemed as though England got 'bored' of keeping the ball. 

He told Sky Sports: 'What we saw (last night) has been the norm for a few years now. Started off so well, the first 15 minutes we were outstanding. We were patient, passed the ball, moved, there was a lot of good play.

'Got the goal. (Then England sort of got bored. Got bored of keeping the ball and then we start giving the ball away and then they got on the top for the last 10 minutes of the first-half. Luckily enough half-time come, and (we) never really got going again.

'We are never able to change it. We start well, then it goes not good, but we can never go from not good to good again and it stays like that for the rest of the game.

'We gotta learn, it's a good result, what it's done, it's brought everybody down a peg or two, fans including me - that it won't be as easy as what I thought it would be.'

Bellingham was the star of the show for the Three Lions, as he produced an excellent all-round performance - particularly in the first half - and was the deserved matchwinner. 

Merson though felt that towards the end of the game nobody else wanted to receive the ball and went 'hiding'. 

He said: 'Bellingham was very good. When he went off, we had a free-kick towards the end of the game and Declan Rice had a 60 yard diagonal to Jarrod Bowen but no one wanted the ball. 

'Everybody was hiding. Before Bellingham (went off) he would have gone 'give me the ball and I'll have it'. There's a lot to be worked on but three points, the other game was a draw, one more win and we're through.' 

Southgate will hope his side grow into the tournament, starting off with their clash against Denmark on Thursday.

The Danes were held to a 1-1 draw with Slovenia in their opening group game. 

A victory for England would seal their place in the knockout phase, before they conclude the group against Slovenia on June 25.