- Steve Cooper took charge of new England U17 crop after World Cup triumph
- Youngsters fell two goals behind against Portugal at Proact Stadium
- But England then fought back, scoring twice with visitors picking up red card
- Steven Gerrard’s 16-year-old cousin Bobby Duncan bundled in third goal
The comeback kids, we might have to call England’s Under-17s from now on. Less than a fortnight after summoning strength from 2-0 down to beat Spain and seize World Cup glory they were at it again.
This time Portugal were the victims, unable to protect a lead against Steve Cooper’s latest crop of talented youngsters.
With the likes of Phil Foden and Rhian Brewster having graduated to the age-group above, this was a new side demonstrating traits we witnessed in awe in India.
Taylor Perry charges away in possession under pressure from Portugal’s Francisco Pinto
Rayhaan Tulloch attempts to keep control with Franisco Saidaha Morais holding his shirt
Thomas Doyle (right) and Max Broughton (back) close down Eduaro Ribeiro
Trailing 2-0 in a match to mark the start of next summer’s European Champiosnships hosted in England, Cooper’s side came back to win, with Steven Gerrard’s 16-year-old cousin scoring the winner.
Bobby Duncan plays for Manchester City rather than Liverpool but he showed the grit his famous relative built a career on by sliding in to bundle home England’s third three minutes from the end.
The impact of England’s World Cup achievement could be gauged by the locked roads around Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium, with 4,357 eventually settling in to watch.
The next batch of talent at Under 17 level were looking to make a successful start
Fresh from the triumph at the World Cup, Steve Cooper took charge of a whole new team
But it was the visitors who seized on a defensive error to go ahead in the 19th minute. Eduardo Ribeiro collected Max Broughton’s underhit backpass, skipped inside Luis Binks and rolled his finish beyond Harry Seaden.
Portugal doubled their advantage amid controversy shortly before the break. Rodrigo Fernandes rose high to power a header that Seaden dived to save superbly. But an assistant referee ruled the ball had crossed the line, even though his positioning was suspect.
But as their elders showed against Spain, England’s youth are not prone to wilting under pressure.
After the break Ethan Laird won a free-kick by the byline that Tommy Doyle whipped in too quickly for Joao Monteiro. The Portugal goalkeeper flapped and England were back in it.
Soon after Portugal captain Embalo Umaro was sent off for a second booking, bringing down Arvin Appiah, and the Nottingham Forest winger was instrumental in hauling England level. Appiah shot down the left and Manuel Tiago diverted the cutback into his own net. Then Duncan made the night complete.