U21s rally to secure draw for Pearce
Stuart Pearce oversaw a draw in first game in charge
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Tuesday, 06, Feb 2007 11:23
England under-21s fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with their Spanish counterparts in manager Stuart Pearce's first match in charge.
It had seemed that the Manchester City boss was set for a losing start in his new role as his side headed for the dressing room reeling from strikes from Roberto Soldado and Jose Jurado, but he proved his worth by inspiring his young charges to a rousing second-half comeback.
The visitors had taken the lead after an uneventful first 34 minutes when calamitous defending from Scott Carson and Curtis Davies presented Raul Garcia with time and space to feed Soldado who duly raced round Carson to slot the opener.
On the stroke of half-time the deficit deepened as Liverpool's Antonio Barragan burst forward, drawing the attention of England's rearguard before slipping in Jurado for a second.
A bracing pep-talk from Pearce produced a far-livelier attacking performance after the break and on 50 minutes David Nugent's predatory instincts proved sharp enough to thrash home a loose ball in the box.
As England pushed forward in search of a leveller holes inevitably appeared at the back for their skilful opponents to exploit and only a fine Carson save denied Garcia a probable winner.
It was Reading's in-form forward Leroy Lita who finally broke down the Spanish resistance as he peeled away to the far post to meet an arcing Davies cross with a precise header back across the keeper on 79 minutes.