Keane Tastes Victory On England Return

Michael Keane marked his return to England duty by helping the Three Lions comfortably blunt USA's attack in a Wembley friendly which Gareth Southgate's side won 3-0.

Everton centre-back Keane was winning his fifth cap – 13 months after earning his fourth – and transferred his assured club form to the international stage. The 25-year-old can now boast of clean sheets in each of his past four England outings.

Southgate's unfamiliar looking starting XI had only 94 caps between them and Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford prevented USA from securing a shock lead when he raced out to block from Borussia Dortmund forward Christian Pulisic.

Indeed, so raw was this England side that – 12 months after first playing for his country – Pickford was the fourth most-capped player to line up for the home side.


The 24-year-old was withdrawn at half-time when England were two goals to the good, courtesy of strikes from Manchester United's Jesse Lingard and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool.

Bournemouth centre-forward Callum Wilson wrapped up the scoring to complete a fine debut for the former Coventry City player. England return to action on Sunday when Croatia – 3-2 victors over Spain on Thursday night – visit Wembley, with top spot in the teams' Nations League group up for grabs.

Elsewhere, Seamus Coleman returned to the international scene to feature for Republic of Ireland in their scoreless draw with Northern Ireland.

Right-back Coleman hurt a foot on Ireland duty back in September and missed out on his country's games against Denmark and Wales last month.

He has played Everton's past four matches, however, and completed 90 minutes of the Dublin fixture, four days before the Republic finish their Nations League campaign with a game in Denmark.


Tom Davies, meanwhile, played 69 minutes of England Under-21s' eye-catching 2-1 victory in Italy – with Everton pair Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Kieran Dowell both coming off the bench as Aidy Boothroyd's side started their preparations for next summer's European Championship in the best possible style.

Midfielder Davies started alongside Bournemouth's Lewis Cook in the Young Lions' engine room to win his ninth Under-21 cap.

England overcame the blow of an injury to Chelsea defender Jake Clarke-Salter, who was forced off on four minutes, to take the lead when Dominic Solanke converted a cross from Fulham left-back Ryan Sessegnon with eight minutes on the clock.

Italy hit back shortly before the break, Juventus striker Moise Kean thudding a header beyond goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Calvert-Lewin replaced Solanke on 63 minutes – by which time the Liverpool striker had restored England's advantage with a close-range finish.

Davies made way for clubmate Dowell with 21 minutes remaining and Boothroyd's side held out to extend their unbeaten run to a 21st match, ahead of next Tuesday's trip to Denmark.