England’s wingers inspire fightback to impress Southgate
Gareth Southgate watched on as England came from behind to deservedly beat Italy Under-17s 2-1 in the European Under-17 Championship. Steve Cooper’s side scored twice in nine second-half minutes to continue their winning start to top Group A after Alessio Riccardi put the Italians ahead at Walsall.
England will qualify for the quarter-finals if they avoid defeat against Switzerland on Thursday at Rotherham United.
The wide men were the source of England’s main threat, with Arsenal winger Xavier Amaechi threatening on three occasions and Arvin Appiah from Nottingham Forest equalising, while Rayhaan Tulloch, the substitute from West Brom, won the penalty for the winner.
Last year, the England Under-17s group won the World Cup and their successors in the age group showed they have similar tenacity.
Italy took the lead in the 13th minute when Riccardi, the attacking midfielder from Roma, buried a low shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards. England spurned chances through Matthew Daly, the Huddersfield Town striker, Amaechi and Bobby Duncan, the cousin of Steven Gerrard.
They equalised in the 63rd minute when Appiah lashed home from just inside the box and Tommy Doyle, the midfielder from Manchester City who is the grandson of City legends Mike Doyle and Glyn Pardoe, sealed it from the spot soon after when Tulloch was tripped by right-back Alberto Barazzetta.
Senior manager Southgate must have been impressed by the wide players and Under-17s coach Steve Cooper was delighted with their impact. “Arvin came inside and scored and Rayhaan won the penalty – that’s what you want from your attacking players,” he said.
Italy coach Carmine Nunziata claimed Arsenal midfielder Vontae Daley-campbell should have been sent off after his tackle on Jean Freddi Pascal Greco led to him being substituted. The midfielder went to hospital for an x-ray on a leg. Tulloch is suspended for the Switzerland game.