Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe scored once again for England Under-21s as they reached the quarter-finals of the European Championships.
The Young Lions confirmed themselves as Group C winners by beating Israel 2-0 on Sunday in comfortable fashion. Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon gave Lee Carsley's side an early lead in the 15th minute before Smith Rowe, just as he did against the Czech Republic in England's opening game, doubled his side's lead in the second half.
One difference for the Arsenal ace, though, was that this time he was handed a start by Carsley, having come on as a substitute against the Czechs. Smith Rowe made a bright start to the match and thought he'd broken the deadlock in the opening exchanges with a cute backheeled effort, only for his goal to be ruled out for offside.
The Young Lions' dominant start in Georgia resulted in a goal after quarter of an hour, though, as a brilliant cross from Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White from the left flank found Gordon in the centre of the box. The Everton academy graduate, who was sold for £45million in January, nodded home and made it 1-0.
Israel began to flex their own muscles in the latter stages of the first half but failed to take any of their chances, allowing Smith Rowe to give England a two-goal advantage in the 68th minute. The 22-year-old produced an excellent finish, drilling a shot into the bottom left-hand corner.
Smith Rowe will be hoping to make it three goals in three games when Carsley and co take on Germany in their final group fixture on Wednesday. Arsenal's No.10 endured a frustrating season at club level, despite the Gunners mounting an exciting Premier League title charge.
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Missing a total of 13 games after undergoing groin surgery, Smith Rowe was then stranded outside of the starting XI thanks to the scintillating form of other players, primarily captain Martin Odegaard. Manager Mikel Arteta still has full belief in him, however, saying in March: "He knows how much we love him, and we know how much we missed him and how much we need his qualities.
"And now he needs to prove it, he needs to prove how much he wants to win, and how much he's going to contribute to this team to be better and win. And he's going to have to show that to get in the team. "I think we have to manage his load, but for sure he's in a position where we can throw him in the team at any moment.
"And then it's about how he's coping with the team in general and whether we have to take him off or to use him in the last few minutes of the game."
Arteta later sent out a warning to the Gunners meastro, though. "I have to be critical of myself. My job is to get the best out of 24 players we have available and I haven't been able to do that," the Arsenal boss admitted.
"There are three or four I'd say that still have huge potential but for different reasons, they haven't been able to do that [last season]. Whether it's injuries, game time or whether it's because I haven't had the opportunity or I have decided not to play them enough."
