YOUNG LIONS SECURE TOULON TRIUMPH
FROM start to finish, it was very nearly perfect. Five matches, five wins; Gareth Southgate’s Young Lions are Toulon Tournament champions. Lewis Baker and Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored the goals against France yesterday, but in reality 20 players were handed starts and played their part over the duration of the competition. Jamie Redknapp and Sol Campbell were in the team the last time England triumphed in Toulon 22 years ago, and many of these players are also sure to progress to the senior squad. After seeing his side lift the trophy, Southgate said: ‘I feel immense pride. I think we were the best team in it. The intensity was fantastic. It was important to get the win.’ It took just eight minutes for Baker — winner of the tournament’s Golden Boot with four goals — to open the scoring yesterday, after a dissecting pass from James Ward-Prowse. With the keeper off his line, he looped a header goalwards, and England were on their way. Just a minute before the break, it was the turn of another Chelsea star to double the lead, as a dazzling team move was finished off by Loftus-Cheek’s deft flick over Florian Escales. France pulled one back through Abdou Diallo, but the win was secure for Southgate’s boys.