England continued their perfect start to the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, beating Andorra 1-0 at Pride Park tonight.
Head coach Lee Carsley made three changes to the team that started in the win over Moldova, including handing Chelsea forward Tyrique George his first start.
He debuted against Moldova, replacing club teammate Jamie Gittens in the 69th minute.
The 19-year-old missed the chance to give England the lead in the seventh minute, drilling a shot wide from Rico Lewis’ pass.
Ethan Nwaneri forced goalkeeper Marc de Castro to make his first save in the 23rd minute, after trying to find the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.
England finally made the breakthrough in the 41st minute after Gittens manoeuvred his way past two markers to find George, who blasted the ball ferociously into the net from an acute angle.
The second half started with England maintaining their dominance. Nwaneri and Jobe Bellingham combined in the 50th minute, but the former’s effort was saved.
Nwaneri turned provider for Bellingham two minutes later, sending a cross into the area. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder headed the ball away from goal.
Castro produced another smart stop to prevent Bellingham from getting on the scoresheet just before the hour mark.
The Andorra goalkeeper impressed yet again in the 65th minute, smothering Gittens’ left-footed shot.
Andorra recorded their first shot on target in the 80th minute, as goalkeeper James Beedle denied Yédid Santaella from breaching his goal.
England’s Sydie Peck had the game’s last chance, but his effort was blocked.
The result keeps Carsley’s side on top of Group D, two points clear of second-placed Slovakia, who they will face next month.
