Sunderland duo help England Under-21s to Toulon title
Sunderland pair Jordan Pickford and Duncan Watmore teamed up to help England Under-21s lift the Toulon Tournament trophy yesterday.
A deserved 2-1 success against hosts France secured England’s first triumph in the prestigious competition since 1994, with Gareth Southgate’s side winning all five matches.
Chelsea’s Lewis Baker made an early breakthrough with his fourth goal of the tournament, looping a header over the keeper from James Ward-Prowse’s ball.
Pickford was forced to make a fine parry to keep out a fierce left-footed strike by Da Sa before a quick break from midfield led to Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek poking home, just ahead of the advancing keeper.
Captain Ward-Prowse went close to a third goal, and Watmore was substituted before France pulled a goal back in the 78th minute, Abdou Diallo ensuring a tense final few minutes with a close-range finish past Pickford.
But England held firm to see out the victory.
England U21s: Pickford, Iorfa, Targett, Chalobah, Chambers, Hause, Watmore, Ward-Prowse, Loftus-Cheek, Redmond, Baker.