Blues loanee Trevoh Chalobah skippered the England U19s as they beat Turkey 3-2 in a hard-fought opening group game at the European Championships in Finland.
Chalobah, playing at left centre-half and winning his 21st U19 cap, was caught cold as Güven Yalçın headed Turkey into a surprise lead in the second minute, but the Young Lions settled down as the first half wore on and were 2-1 in front by the break with Tottenham’s Japhet Tanganga and Ben Brereton of Nottingham Forest on the scoresheet.
In the second half, Sunderland midfielder Elliot Embleton added to the lead, Güven Yalçın pulled a goal back for the Turks almost immediately before they were reduced to 10 men in injury time - Metehan Güçlü was dismissed for two bookable offences - while strongly pushing for an equaliser.
Blues striker Ben Morris, who is yet to play at U19 level having won U17 and U18 caps, was an unused sub.
Andre Dozzell was also a key man in the side which won the Euros last summer but has remained behind this year as he continues his return from injury.
Fellow midfielders Tristan Nydam and Flynn Downes also won U19s caps last season but Town were unwilling to release the duo for the competition, preferring that they remain in Suffolk for pre-season.
The England youngsters next take on Ukraine on Friday and complete their group matches France on Monday with both those games also on Sky Sports.