REALITY CZECH
Dismal defending sees Lions lose first qualifier in 10 years
CZECH REPUBLIC 2 ENGLAND 1
ENGLAND crashed to their first qualifying defeat in more than 10 years on a torrid night in Prague.
Gareth Southgate’s team were given the runaround by a fired-up Czech team and now head to Bulgaria on Monday desperate to get their Euro 2020 finals qualification back on track.
Harry Kane put England ahead from the spot after four minutes but they paid the price for some dire defending as Jakub Brabec levelled while Zdenek Ondrasek fired an 85th-minute winner.
Only some fine saves from Jordan Pickford prevented a heavier defeat.
IF MASON MOUNT has been pinching himself at the sudden career acceleration in the last four months, it would not be a surprise.
Last night in Prague, though, was maybe a cold dose of reality.
Mount returned to pre-season training at Chelsea in July with Frank Lampard just appointed as the new manager. The same man who had seen him score eight Championship goals under his command while on loan at Derby last term.
Lampard knew all about the youngster and immediately made him part of his first-team plans at Chelsea.
England boss Gareth Southgate knew Mount as well from his progress through the youth international ranks, and swiftly there were two senior substitute appearances. Then, last night, after four goals in eight Premier League games, came a full England debut for the 20-year-old.
Such has been the Hampshire boy’s excellent club form, he has kept an experienced player like Ross Barkley – and £58million new signing Christian Pulisic – out of the Chelsea team. In Prague, there was Barkley, right, on the bench again and Mount in the starting line up – this time with England.
Southgate, who had been impressed with Mount in training this week, said in the build-up to the game: “What do I think of Mason? Exactly what I thought of him when I saw him at 16 playing for our Under-16s.
“He’s a quality player, an intelligent footballer, presses well, has a real eye for goal and good quality. Nothing I’ve seen surprises me at all.”
So far Mount, starting in midfield alongside his best friend and former Chelsea academy player Declan Rice for last night’s 2-1 defeat against Czech Republic, had taken it all in his stride.
But for much of this match the game passed Mount by.
He started promisingly – a pass was flicked on by Harry Kane to Raheem Sterling which led to the penalty which the England skipper tucked away to give his side an early lead.
But within four minutes the lively Czechs were level, as England’s wobbly defence let them down yet again and Jakub Brabec scored.
Mount only touched the ball five times in the first quarter, despite some energetic chasing and closing down. But, in fairness, he was not playing on the left, as he does with his club – instead, for some reason, he was pushed into an advanced role for a torrid first 45 minutes.
Too often Mount found himself starved of the ball. He was not alone in struggling to make an impact – England, after their bright start, were ragged and disorganised.
After half-time, Southgate tinkered with his formation and Mount looked happier on the left of a midfield three. His control was good and there were a couple of typically accurate crosses.
This match, though, is going to be marked down as a learning experience for the youngster. Another little step along the way.
With 18 minutes left, up came the board – and on ran Barkley for Mount. It had been a hard night for him.
Whether on this evidence he has edged ahead of his team-mate on the international stage is doubtful. Even in stratospheric climbs, there are blips.