If Gareth Southgate’s England were not so stacked with attacking talent, Emile Smith Rowe’s form for Arsenal this past year would surely have resulted in him being called up to the senior squad.
But for Lee Carsley and his coaching staff it was a relief that he arrived when he did as Smith Rowe proved the difference for the Under-21s last night on an evening that at times threatened to provide a dismal end to a turbulent international break.
After a frustrating 67 minutes in which Rhian Brewster had wasted England’s best opportunities and was then sent off for an undeserved second booking, Smith Rowe kept a calm head and scored his first goal at this level from a rare counterattack that sent England home in far better shape than they had arrived in group G of this Euro 2023 qualifier.
“It’s important to understand where these players are in their journey,” Carsley said. “Rhian needs to learn. It was harsh, but ultimately we had to grind out a result tonight. Really pleased with the spirit the lads showed.”
Carsley made four changes from the disappointing 2-2 draw against Slovenia on Thursday, offering a first appearance to the St Etienne goalkeeper Etienne Green and full debuts to James Garner, Tommy Doyle and Tino Livramento.
Having been an academy prospect at Chelsea only a matter of months ago, Livramento is already a Premier League regular as a marauding right back at Southampton. Alongside the ever-lively Cole Palmer, the pair combined well with clever combinations and movement to trouble the Andorra defence.
There were opportunities for Palmer and Doyle but Rodriguez Gimenez saved well.
England were outstanding for the opening 45 minutes against Slovenia but the unconvincing second-half performance continued in Andorra.
Opportunities did come in the second half but were squandered. Brewster failed to connect with a Palmer cross, and then his night was brought to a premature conclusion when he was sent off an alleged elbow on Eric Vales. The striker’s reaction represented the injustice of the referee’s decision.
A bad night threatened to become a terrible one when Andorra won a corner in the 67th minute with their first venture into England’s box. Both goals conceded to Slovenia were from set pieces but Carsley’s side escaped the danger before inflicting the deadly wound of their own as Curtis Jones, brought on for Garner, broke with pace and set free Smith Rowe for the Arsenal forward to finish.
Before next month’s visit of group G leaders the Czech Republic, Carsley added: “There will be a few more bumps in the road.”
England Under-21 (4-3-3): E Green (St Etienne) 6 — T Livramento (Southampton) 6, T Harwood-Bellis (Anderlecht) 6, M Guehi (Crystal Palace) 6, L Thomas (Leicester City) 6 — C Gallagher (Crystal Palace) 7, T Doyle (Manchester City) 7, J Garner (Nottingham Forest) 6, for Curtis Jones (Liverpool), 57min 7 — C Palmer (Manchester City) 7, for A Gomes (Lille) 66 6, R Brewster (Sheffield United) 5, E Smith Rowe (Arsenal) 7, for F Balogun (Arsenal) 90. Booked Brewster, Thomas. Sent off Brewster 55.
