England U20s 2 USA U20s 0: Five things we learned as Reece Oxford, Patrick Roberts and Co secure Four Nations triumph

ENGLAND Under-20s capped off an impressive week together by defeating their USA counterparts 2-0 on Monday.

Liverpool’s rising star Ovie Ejaria, moments after coming on as sub, rifled the ball past the keeper with six minutes remaining at Rochdale before Dominic Solanke slotted home a penalty with the final kick of the game.

The win follows on from last week’s 2-1 victory over Holland and the 3-1 triumph over Germany and ensures Paul Williams’ side were victors of the four-team mini international tournament.

After a dull first half, Arsenal’s Gedion Zelalem almost fired the visitors into the lead before England woke up to claim a deserved victory.

After Patrick Roberts had struck the post for the hosts, it was left to the Kop’s rising young star and the Chelsea frontman to seal the win.

Here’s FIVE THINGS we learned….

1. PLAYING it out from the back is becoming more and more the norm for the modern goalkeeper and a big part of the FA’s ‘England DNA’ programme.

And that all starts from the goalkeeper. Now senior Three Lions stopper Joe Hart may have been dumped from Manchester City for his footwork abilities, but the two men tasked with guarding England’s net this evening look like they have picked up the habit early.

Manchester United’s Dean Henderson, currently on loan at Grimsby, played like a sweeper during the first 45 minutes, quickly off his line to feed the ball to centre-backs Reece Oxford and Jake Clarke-Salter at almost every opportunity.

And Reading’s Luke Southwood, a half time replacement for Henderson, was equally as impressive.

2. WINNING. OK, so this was only a friendly as such.

But after last week’s wins over Holland and Germany, Williams’ men had already won the four-team international mini-tournament before a ball was kicked at Rochdale.

And it is not the first bit of silverware this lot have lifted. Two years ago the majority of this squad won the European U17s Championship.

And with a FIFA U20 World Cup fast-approaching next summer in South Korea, it is good to see that the group still have that winning ability.

Whether they can carry it through all the way to senior level remains to be seen, but a triumph in Asia next summer would leave the country feeling better about England’s future.

3. TOTTENHAM may have been linked with young Lyon defender Emanuel Mammana, but Mauricio Pochettino may as well spend his money elsewhere if Cameron Carter-Vickers performance is anything to go by.

The strapping 18-year-old captained USA and gave a real leader’s display as he marshalled the backline and put in a number of blocks throughout.

Carter-Vickers was born in Southend but qualifies for the States through his ex-basketball player father Howard Carter.

England have reportedly enquired about whether he would be interested in switching his allegiance, but US senior coach Jurgen Klinsmann already has his eyes on teen. He recently said: “Cameron is absolutely in our picture. He is a very exciting player coming through the ranks.

4. AND speaking of Klinsmann, it seems that scoring goals is not the only trait of men by that surname out on the pitch.

The legendary German striker was one of the best in the world in front of goal during his playing days, including his memorable spell at Tottenham in the 90s where he became a cult hero.

But it appears his son has no desire to follow in his footsteps – in fact he would much prefer to keep the ball out of the net.

Jonathan Klinsmann is forging out a career of his own for his adopted homeland and the 6-foot-4 stopper looked a safe pair of hands throughout, producing impressive stops from Roberts and Harry Chapman and he will feel unfortunate to have been beaten twice.

5. REECE OXFORD, like a few others within this age group, needs first-team games.

The West Ham prodigy lined up in central defence alongside Chelsea’s Jake Clarke-Salter, but unlike his defensive colleague who is out getting game time on loan at Bristol Rovers, the Hammer is desperate for minutes.

Big, strong, loud and athletic, Oxford is equally as impressive in the air as he is with his tackles as he proved by nearly nodding England into the lead shortly after the break.

It’s easy to see why Slaven Bilic deployed him in midfield at the start of last season too, he is so comfortable on the ball. Obviously, as with all youngsters, there are still a few things to iron out and he can be guilty of holding onto the ball just a little too long as he was at times tonight.

But he will only learn by playing competitively, and if that is not with the struggling West Ham then he needs to get out on loan otherwise he will find himself playing catch up to others his age.

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