Gareth Southgate praises Duncan Watmore impact in England Under-21s win

Duncan Whatmore of England celebrates with team mate Matt Targett after scoring during a European Under 21 Qualifier between England U21 and Switzerland U21 at Amex Stadium on November 16, 2015
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Gareth Southgate praises the impact of Duncan Watmore from the bench to score and provide England Under-21s' other two goals in their win over Switzerland Under-21s.

England Under-21s boss Gareth Southgate has hailed the impact of substitute Duncan Watmore in his side's 3-1 victory over Switzerland Under-21s.

The Young Lions trailed to a first-half strike from Shani Tarashaj, but the arrival of the Sunderland forward from the bench turned the match in the home side's favour when he won a penalty that was converted by James Ward-Prowse.

Watmore then fired England ahead in the 85th minute before he teed up Chuba Akpom in stoppage time to secure the victory for Southgate's men at the Amex Stadium.

Southgate told the Football Association's official website: "I didn't think for one minute that it was a game we deserved to be behind in, because there was only really one shot on target. We'd played extremely well up until the final third and hadn't managed to find that cutting edge.

"So great credit to the boys that came off the bench, they put the disappointment of not starting the game to one side and it was a super contribution which really turned the game for us.

"We knew that we were ending up a little bit narrow and [Watmore's] width would give us a different option and his pace at that stage of the game, because we'd kept the ball so well and knew the opposition would tire. So I'm delighted for him, he's a great kid to work with and it's great that he's got his reward tonight."

The result lifts England to the top of Group Nine in their European Championship qualifying campaign.

Jon Walters #14 of the Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring the opening goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier play off, second leg match between Republic of Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Aviva Stadium on Novemb
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