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England U21s 3 - Finland U21s 0: Saints alive as Young Lions finish the job
SOUTHAMPTON have three players in England’s senior squad but, on the evidence of this comfortable night in Milton Keynes, there could be another two emerging with genuine international prospects.
James Ward-Prowse and Luke Shaw produced an assist each as Gareth Southgate’s side took another step towards qualification for the European Under 21 Championship in 2015.
Ward-Prowse dominated the midfield and his set-pieces were impressive as he created the first with a sublime free-kick which Manchester United defender Michael Keane headed home.
Left-back Shaw was also keen to get forward and it was his industry that led to the second after 37 minutes.
Shaw’s low effort was saved by Jesse Joronen but Saido Berahino pounced.
The Burundi-born youngster now has five goals in his last five Under-21 outings.
No wonder Southgate has refused to write off his chances of gatecrashing Roy Hodgson’s squad for the World Cup.
England toyed with their opponents, who they had drawn with 1-1 in Finland, and should have added to the scoring with Ravel Morrison, Wilfried Zaha and substitute Tom Ince continuing the attacking threat.
Finland’s Patrick O’Shaughnessy was sent off for a second bookable offence after a foul on Shaw in the 70th minute to add to the visitors’ woes.
Berahino was unlucky when he hit the bar but added a third in injury-time with a cool finish from substitute Jesse Lingard’s pass.
England (4-2-3-1): Butland; Jenkinson, Stones, Keane, Shaw; Chalobah (Hughes 65), Ward-Prowse; Zaha, Morrison (Lingard 83), Sterling (Ince 65); Berahino. Booked: Berahino, Goals: Keane 21, Berahino 37, 90.
Finland (4-5-1): Joronen; P O’Shaughnessy, Hatakka, D O’Shaughnessy, Aspegren; Lod (Hamalainen 78), Paananen, Yaghoubi, Kauppi (Brechtel 65), Alho; Vayrynen. Booked: P O’Shaughnessy, D O’Shaughnessy, Yaghoubi. Sent off: P O’Shaughnessy 70.
Referee: P Valeri (Italy).