Magical Mount stands tall on big audition for Southgate

Gareth Southgate shunned the champions league in favour of the championship last night and was rewarded with a vibrant display by 19-year-old Mason Mount. The england under 21 international was central to Derby’s fast-paced approach in this stalemate with Blackburn and he hit the bar with a glorious free-kick. england manager Southgate has said he may need to hand caps to players in the second tier rather than those sitting on the bench in the Premier league. and last night he chose Pride Park instead of anfield, where liverpool were playing Paris Saint-Germain. chelsea loanee Mount is under the stewardship of former england midfielder Frank lampard at Derby. ‘Gareth would have been impressed,’ said lampard of Mount. ‘Four or five goals wouldn’t have flattered us.’

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