VIDEO: Duncan Watmore steals show in England U21 defeat of Switzerland
With the senior squad expected to field six players aged 22 or under in Tuesday's friendly with France, it's no surprise the England Under-21 had a rather depleted look in its UEFA Championship qualifier against Switzerland on Monday.
When Sunderland's versatile attacking midfielder Duncan Watmore was introduced in the 75th minute, the side was unsurprisingly down 1-0 at the Falmer Stadium and in need of some inspiration from the former Altrincham youngster.
First the 21-year-old won a penalty for the Young Lions, which skipper James Ward-Prowse converted, and then smashed in a goal of his own: whacking the ball in from outside the area via a generous deflection.
Ten minutes into Watmore's introduction, and Gareth Southgate's team was suddenly up 2-1 in Brighton.
The England Under-21 side has lacked intensity and penetration in recent games, and this match seemed to be following the same pattern until the youthful Mancunian was brought on. The directness he played with was epitomised with his assist for Chuba Akpom's late finish to make it 3-1.
.@HullCity's @Arsenal loanee @cakpom rounds off a brilliant late comeback for @england U21 against @SFV_ASF. https://t.co/vBP0sVQeWq
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) November 16, 2015
His new boss on Wearside, Sam Allardyce, has already tipped him to play an important role for his club this term, and now he's shown his credentials on the international stage.
Duncan Watmore: mega-sub. Draws pen, scores England's second, sets up 3rd in 3-1 win over Switz. Has degree. Son of former FA chief exec.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) November 16, 2015
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