Connolly Nets As Young Blues Steer England Into Toulon Final

Callum Connolly was on target as the Everton youngster joined fellow Blues Jonjoe Kenny and Kieran Dowell in steering England Under-21s into the final of the Toulon tournament with a 3-1 win over Fraser Hornby’s Scotland Under-21s.

Connolly, who spent the 2017/18 season on loan at Championship side Ipswich, levelled for the young Lions seconds after the restart in the south of France when he collected Eddie Nketiah’s cross and finished at the far post.

It was Scotland - managed by former Toffees midfielder Scot Gemmill - who had taken a first-half lead through Celtic’s Michael Johnston after Everton Under-23s forward Hornby had gone close, moments after Dowell nearly gave defending champions England the lead.

Connolly, Kenny and Dowell – who helped England Under-20s win the World Cup in South Korea last summer alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman – all started for Aidy Boothroyd’s side as they stepped up a gear after the break and booked their place in Saturday’s final against Mexico when Arsenal’s Nketiah grabbed a double.