Mixed fortunes for international Blues
There was Chelsea representation in three separate England youth sides that emerged victorious today (Friday) but Mohamed Salah and Egypt’s African Cup of Nations qualification campaign got off to the worst possible start in Senegal.
The Pharaohs conceded two first-half goals, to Premier League players Mame Biram Diouf and Sadio Mane, and despite plenty of pressure after the interval they could not find a way back in to the match. Salah, who played the full game in Dakar, had two excellent opportunities within the space of a minute to halve the deficit but couldn’t convert either.
Egypt host Tunisia in their second Nations Cup qualifier, that game played on Wednesday evening.
Elsewhere at senior level, Diego Costa is to miss Spain’s European Championship qualifier on Monday against Macedonia due to injury.
Lewis Baker, who was yesterday confirmed as a member of Jose Mourinho’s first team squad this season, captained England’s Under-20 side to a 6-0 win against Romania, netting the fourth goal from the penalty spot (pictured celebrating top). He had forced the Romanian stopper into an excellent first-half save with a trademark free-kick.
John Swift also started and was replaced just after the hour. He too had an opportunity to open the scoring before the break but passed up the chance when a cross came at him quickly and he couldn’t direct his header on target.
The last five goals were scored in 18 second-half minutes, with Baker being joined on the scoresheet by Rolando Aarons (assisted by Swift), Josh Murphy, Callum Robinson – who struck twice - and Kwame Thomas. Fankaty Dabo was an unused substitute.
England’s Under-18s were also successful in a home friendly, this time against Holland in Bury. Dominic Solanke started and, in his first game at this level, netted the second goal after racing on to a Joshua Onomah through ball and finishing at the second attempt (pictured celebrating below). That Solanke strike made it 2-0 after 56 minutes, with England eventually running out 3-1 winners.
Jake Clarke-Salter began the match and he completed over an hour before being replaced. It was the defender's first ever start at international level.
Izzy Brown, meanwhile, has had to withdraw from England's Under-19 squad due to injury.
Earlier in the evening, Nathaniel Chalobah completed 90 minutes for England’s Under-21 side as they defeated Lithuania 1-0 in a European Championship qualifier in Kaunas.
Chalobah, on loan at Burnley until January, began the match in central midfield and went close to opening the scoring with a low shot that flashed just wide of the post.
The 19-year-old’s services were required at the other end moments before the interval when he blocked an effort on the line after England had failed to deal with a cross.
When Tottenham’s Harry Kane came on with 25 minutes to play, in place of central defender Ben Gibson, Chalobah dropped into the heart of the back four. Kane then headed what proved to be the only goal, getting to fellow substitute Alex Pritchard’s inviting delivery just in front of the Lithuanian goalkeeper with 10 minutes remaining.
It is now eight wins out of nine for Gareth Southgate’s youngsters, who had booked their place in next month’s play-off round for the 2015 Under-21 European Championships prior to their win today.
They complete their group stage qualification period against Moldova in Tiraspol on Tuesday evening.