Black Cat Duncan Watmore proves his worth for England

Watmore started his first Premier League game for Sunderland against Southampton nearly a fortnight ago, having impressed off the bench, especially in the game against Norwich City where he scored the Black Cats’ consolation goal in a 3-1 defeat.

But Watmore’s introduction changed the game, and in the 82 minute he won the Young Lions a penalty which James Ward-Prowse converted.

He was only on the pitch for 15 minutes, but in that time Duncan Watmore managed to turn Monday night’s game with Switzerland in England Under-21s’ favour.

Without Watmore’s influence that positive picture could easily have been vastly different, however, and may have prompted questions about Southgate’s persistence with a patient passing game.

“So I’m delighted for him, he’s a great kid to work with and it’s great that he’s got his reward tonight”.

“It’s no surprise he’s an intelligent player because he’s an intelligent boy”. He’s showed what he is capable of tonight but it is very early stages for him. He picks up ideas really quickly, he’s a raw, emerging talent.

England U21 forward delighted following match-winning display.

“In terms of what the lads have done and the way they’ve carried it out, I couldn’t ask more of them as a group”.

“They were quite resolute in their defending so to make the breakthrough with Prowsey [James Ward-Prowse] taking his penalty very well at a crucial time in the game and under pressure”.

Watmore then fired Gareth Southgate’s men ahead in the 85th minute by drilling a strike into the bottom corner before he then teed up Chuba Akpom to seal the victory in the dying seconds.

As is central to Southgate’s philosophy since his appointment as manager in August 2013, England were often fluid, but the absence of so many important players – particularly Jordon Ibe, James Wilson and Nathan Redmond – undermined them.

“And then I got the next goal and Chuba got the last, so we did well”.

“That incident sparked a bit of a melee but we drew energy from that”.