Armstrong helps England beat France as Everton trio watch Prague win from bench

Harrison Armstrong was the only Everton player to see action on Tuesday as England’s senior and Under-20 sides both recorded victories.

The Everton midfielder came off the bench as England Under-20s beat France 2-1 in Spain, while Jordan Pickford, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Garner were all unused substitutes during the senior side’s 2-0 Nations League victory over Czechia in Prague.

It was a quieter day than might have been expected for the Blues contingent, but Armstrong added another 31 minutes to the full game he played against Italy earlier in the international break.

Armstrong gets another England run-out

Armstrong began England Under-20s’ meeting with France on the bench after completing 90 minutes in their opening 3-1 victory over Italy.

England were already two goals ahead by the time the 19-year-old was introduced in the 59th minute, replacing Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni as part of a triple substitution.

Shumaira Mheuka had opened the scoring after nine minutes before captain Mikey Moore doubled the lead five minutes later. France pulled one back through Prosper Peter in the 69th minute, leaving Armstrong and his team-mates to see out the final stages of a 2-1 victory.

The result maintained England’s 100 per cent start to the U20 Elite League campaign and leaves them top of the early standings with six points from two matches, as confirmed in the FA’s official match report.

Armstrong has now accumulated 121 minutes across the two games and remains in contention for Saturday’s final fixture against Germany.

Pickford, Branthwaite and Garner stay on the bench

There was no further senior England action for Everton’s three representatives later in the day.

Thomas Tuchel retained James Trafford in goal against Czechia, meaning Pickford remained on the bench for a second successive Nations League fixture. Branthwaite and Garner were also among the substitutes but weren’t used as England won 2-0 in Prague.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men when Pavel Sulc was sent off in the 23rd minute. Anthony Gordon eventually broke the deadlock shortly after half-time before Harry Kane added England’s second in the 69th minute.

Garner and Branthwaite had both featured in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against Spain at Wembley, with Garner introduced in the second half and Branthwaite making a late appearance.

Pickford is still waiting for his first minutes of the international break after Tuchel opted to give Trafford the opening two Nations League matches.

England travel to Croatia on Saturday, when Everton’s trio could have another opportunity for minutes.

For David Moyes, there is at least the consolation of three important first-team players coming through another England fixture without adding to Everton’s injury concerns, while Armstrong continues to gain useful experience with the Under-20s.

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