LION CUB GRAY OUR MANE MAN Demarai delivers to fire Boothroyd’s side into the last four

DEMARAI GRAY fired England Under-21s to the Euro semi-finals for the first time since 2009. Aidy Boothroyd’s young Lions shouldered the pressure of a must-win game against the hosts, Gray setting them on the way with an early goal. The Leicester winger struck after six minutes, while his lightning breakaway with 20 minutes to go set up Norwich’s Jacob Murphy for a tap-in. England have exited in the group stages at the previous three U-21 Euros but this bunch have grown into the tournament to end that run. Their semi-final is in Tychy on Tuesday. They leave their base in Kielce tomorrow to set up camp in Krakow, which will host next week’s final. The big guns are still in it with Spain and Germany favourites, but England have demonstrated a resilience and are gaining confidence with each game. Boothroyd has instilled a team spirit and demanding attitude. Reaching the last four is par for the course and will already be regarded as a partial success by the FA, with the U-20s winning the World Cup and the U-17s reaching their Euro final. Boothroyd rotated his strikers and recalled Gray, a decision which paid dividends almost immediately. While the possession game can be attractive, an accurate long ball forward can quickly open up a team. So it proved when Jordan Pickford pinged a pass 60 yards to Ben Chilwell. He found Gray free on the edge of the box and his Leicester team-mate curled home from 25 yards. It was the perfect start in a game England had to win to top the group and progress. The introduction of Gray, likened to a wasp pre-match by Boothroyd for his pest qualities, and buzzing front play, added some sting. He came in for Tammy Abraham and his mobility and pace was key. Calum Chambers won a great ball inside his own box and cleared to Murphy, who fed the marauding Gray down the left. Murphy backed his set-up play by sprinting 50 yards to the far post to convert an easy chance and make it 2-0. England needed more of a counter-attacking threat as Poland pushed on to save their campaign, and Boothroyd got his plan spot on. Chilwell was functioning well as an advanced left-back and John Swift looked for clever angles and linked play well. It was an assured display from England, who knew the danger of letting the lead slip. Nathaniel Chalobah limped off with a groin injury allowing Will Hughes the chance to anchor a composed midfield. Alfie Mawson’s header from James Ward-prowse’s corner was brilliantly saved by Jakob Wrabel. This was the best England had played, having drawn with Sweden and beaten Slovakia. There was calmness, possession and a direct threat, a mixture that England teams have searched for. They were dangerous from the off, Ward-prowse and Lewis Baker (left) having efforts before Gray’s opener. England’s third came from a Baker penalty on 82 minutes after sub Abraham’s dribble was halted by Jan Bednarek, who picked up a second yellow and was sent off. ENGLAND: Pickford 7, Holgate 6, Chambers 7, Mawson 7, Chilwell 7, Baker 6, Chalobah 6 (Hughes 37 7), Ward-prowse 8 (Abraham 73 6), Swift 7, Redmond 6 (Murphy 45 7), Gray 8

Gray fires home in the opening minutes to put his country in charge against the Poles