Dawson suffers head wound in England victory

Norway U21 1 England U21

Stuart Pearce last night hailed the courage of Craig Dawson after the West Bromwich Albion defender defied a nasty head wound to help England maintain their 100 per cent start to their European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign.

Dawson played more than half of the Group Eight win in Norway with a bandage after a clash of heads left him needing seven stitches. "My head's a bit sore, but the result was worth it," he said. "I went up for the header and I think I caught his boot on the way down."

For his goal, Dawson nodded in from a Henri Lansbury's corner. Captain Jordan Henderson scored the second soon after. England held on after Valon Berisha pulled one back, with Norway missing chances to snatch a draw.