JAMES McATEE saluted his matchwinning late double for England Under-21s with a tribute to tragic pal George Baldock.
The Manchester City winger said it in words beforehand and did it in deeds after sealing a comeback 2-1 victory over Ukraine in a Euro qualifiers.
James McAtee marked his two goals for England U21s with another tribute to George Baldock, who he played with at Sheffield United[/caption]
McAtee shot home twice from the 88th minute to clinch victory[/caption]
McAtee had already saluted Baldock in words and now did it in deeds[/caption]
The starlet played alongside the former Greece defender, who was found dead at his home on Wednesday, during two loan spells for Sheffield United.
And after two fine finishes for the Young Lions, McAtee peeled up his shirt to reveal a white top with the words “GB 2 REST EASY BROTHER X”.
Ahead of kick-off the 21-year-old had posted: “I love you to bits brother, thank you for looking after me and also thank you for the memories that we shared together.
“Thoughts go out to your amazing family. Special player, special teammate, special person.”
On the pitch it looked as though the Young Lions would experience the same fate as the senior side the previous night as Dynamo Kyiv defender Taras Mykhavko put Ukraine ahead on 70 minutes at the sold-out Vitality Stadium.
But McAtee, who has made just one Premier League appearance for City this season, saved the day with a ferocious strike into the top corner on 88 minutes.
He then wrapped things up by firing in a fierce, low drive for the winner two minutes later to give Pep Guardiola some food for thought following his first-ever City goal against Slovan Bratislava a week ago.
The defending champions are now two-points behind Group F leaders Ukraine with one match to play against Azerbaijan next Tuesday, while the table-toppers will take on Serbia.
England were in the driving seat for most of the game with Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson being teed up by Aston Villa’s Jaden Philogene, but blazing over the bar.
The best chance of the first-half came 23 minutes in when McAtee stung the hands of an onrushing Ruslan Neshcheret with a rasping, close-range shot.
Midfielder McAtee turned the game around after Ukraine led 1-0[/caption]
Tragic George Baldock is shown waving to Blades’ fans[/caption]
After the break, the Young Lions had a fire lit in their bellies with Neshcheret tipping a rocket strike from Delap over the bar before McAtee fired one agonisingly wide moments later.
England were wasteful in front of goal though and scuppered another peach of a chance as Philogene broke free in front of goal but fired straight at Neshcheret.
The hosts shirked their defensive duties and Kostiantyn Vivcharenko nearly poked one home before Jack Hinshelwood cleared the danger.
England should have seen the warning signs as Mykhavko headed home after an inch-perfect corner from Oleh Ocheretko with half-an-hour to go.
The hosts were handed a golden chance to get back in it when Maksym clattered into McAtee on the edge of the box before the City winger equalised and hit the winner.
