England Under 21s secured a comfortable 2-0 friendly victory over Wales at the Racecourse Ground.
Arsenal winger boosts senior credentials
England Under 21s secured a comfortable 2-0 friendly victory over Wales at the Racecourse Ground on Thursday.
Senior boss Fabio Capello was in the stands to watch England brush aside Wales as a penalty from Tom Huddlestone opened the scoring before the excellent Theo Walcott netted a second before half-time.
Coach Stuart Pearce started his five players from the senior squad as Joe Hart, David Wheater, Huddlestone, Walcott and Gabriel Agbonlahor all had their chance to impress ahead of the forthcoming internationals against USA and Trinidad & Tobago.
Hart was called into action early on, getting down to save from Manchester City team-mate Ched Evans in the opening minute.
Brave block
Walcott had England's first effort on goal, seizing on the ball on the edge of the penalty area, but Joe Jacobson blocked bravely.
However, Pearce's youngsters were ahead in the 19th minute as Lee Cattermole spread the ball left to Middlesbrough team-mate Adam Johnson, who cut inside and was brought down by Neal Eardley in the penalty area.
Huddlestone duly sent Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey the wrong way with his spot-kick.
David Cotterill curled an effort inches over the crossbar soon after the opener, but then England doubled their lead in the 26th minute.
Struggle
Huddlestone exchanged passes with Walcott from a short corner and the Arsenal youngster carried the ball in from the left, with his shot taking a deflection to wrong foot Hennessey.
The hosts almost pulled one back when Shaun MacDonald crossed and Andrew Taylor sliced over Hart - but the ball bounced off the top of the crossbar.
Wheater and Hart came off and debutant goalkeeper Joe Lewis and Scott Dann were brought on at the interval as England strolled and Wales struggled.
Agbonlahor and Taylor were then given a breather in an uneventful second half as England maintained their unbeaten record in 2008.
