Win keeps England U21s in finals frame

England U21 2

Peter Dolezaj's 40th-minute own goal was all that separated the sides until Sheffield United defender Phil Jagielka added a flattering touch to the scoreline seven minutes from time on a sterile end-of-season night at Sunderland's Stadium of Light.

Platt, who turned 37 yesterday, can count his blessings he is still in with a chance of taking England to next summer's finals.

The performance was arguably the best England have produced during Platt's two-year reign.

ENGLAND U21: Evans, Parnaby, Jagielka, Clarke, Konchesky, Pennant, Prutton, Sidwell, Barry, Ameobi (Zamora 71), Defoe (Carlton Cole 58).

SLOVAKIA U21: Postrk, Hricko, Demeter, Svrcek, Jez (Cech 82), Ancic, Drzik, Duris (Sapara 88), Dolezaj, Gottwald (Sestak 72), Kiska.

Referee: T Skjerven (Norway).

Result: Turkey U21 0, Macedonia U21 0.