Andorra U21 0-1 England U21: Tom Davies scores winner as Young Lions continue to dominate Group 4

  • England stay top of their European Under-21 qualification group 
  • Aidy Boothroyd's Young Lions controlled the first half but couldn't score 
  • Everton youngster Tom Davies scored the opener for England after 52 minutes
  • England have three wins out of four games and are four points above Scotland 

Aidy Boothroyd was in no mood to joke but he recognised the dark humour that accompanied his verdict.

'The best part of the night was the view of the Pyrenees,' he said after England's Under-21s had laboured to a 1-0 win over Andorra. 'I'm not kidding. This is a really good lesson for us - myself included.'

The Young Lions are unlikely to play in more spectacular surrounds in the months to follow than they did here but there is no question they will play better; here was a display to show complaints about mundanity are not exclusive for England's seniors.


Andorra goalkeeper Francisco Pires fails to save Tom Davies' shot as England go 1-0 up

Andorra goalkeeper Francisco Pires fails to save Tom Davies' shot as England go 1-0 up

Everton youngster Davies celebrates scoring the opening goal for England on Tuesday

Everton youngster Davies celebrates scoring the opening goal for England on Tuesday

Fortunately for Boothroyd, a goal from Everton midfielder Tom Davies - one of eight changes to the side that beat Scotland last Friday - was enough to secure three points and extend England's lead at the top of Group 4 but it was far from satisfactory.

'Did I make two many changes? Yes, maybe,' said Boothroyd. 'I thought long and hard before doing it. But the lads who travel everywhere deserve a crack and I thought it was a good game to play them in. I really should have know better.'

Tedious, laborious, ponderous were the three words that best illustrated the charmless nature of the contest. Boothroyd had warned his players not to over-elaborate but, if anything, they were too regimented.

Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles takes the ball through the Andorra midfield

Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles takes the ball through the Andorra midfield

Andorra's Aleix Viladot holds off Joseph Worrall during the first half

Andorra's Aleix Viladot holds off Joseph Worrall during the first half

MATCH FACTS 

ENGLAND (4-3-3): Gunn 6.5: Kenny 6, Tomori 6, Worrall 5.5, Walker-Peters 6: Lookman 6, Maitland-Niles 6 (Cook 76mins 6), Davies 7: Harrison 6.5 (Gray 71mins 6), Calvert-Lewin 5.5 (Solanke 79mins), Dowell 5.5  

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Eventually they made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute, Kyle Walker-Peters managed to work an angle to cross and his precise ball was met with a glancing header from Davies that broke the tension. 

It did not, however, burst the dam.

There were openings - Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a goal disallowed for offside, while his Everton team-mate Ademola Lookman saw a shot smothered by goalkeeper Francisco Pires - but they did not arrive in a steady stream.

England's players enter a huddle ahead of their Group 4 match against Andorra

England's players enter a huddle ahead of their Group 4 match against Andorra

Andorra's players line up before the match at the Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella 

Andorra's players line up before the match at the Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella 

And they were thankful to Chelsea youngster Fikayo Tomori being in the right place to kick away a goal bound shot from substitute Roger Nazzaro in the final minute. It was a small mercy for which Boothroyd was grateful. 

'We were desperate to score and when you are like that – all edgy and nervous – there is a always a good chance they will have chances,' said Boothroyd. 'It could have been 4-0 or it could have been 1-1. We'll take the win and move on.'