ANDROS Townsend equalised late on for England in Turin tonight to deny Saints striker Graziano Pelle another international winner.

Pelle struck his second Italy goal in only his third appearance for the Azzuri to give the hosts a half-time lead.

Italy kept that advantage until 11 minutes from time, when Townsend struck a leveller.

Pelle had scored the only goal on his international debut against Malta last autumn.

This Italy side was very different to the one that defeated England in the World Cup nine months ago, with Daniele De Rossi, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli among the high-profile absentees.

Coach Antonio Conte admits this is a transitional period for the four-time world champions and one which does not appear to have gripped the locals, highlighted by the eerily quiet atmosphere at Juventus Stadium.

Early misplaced passes and poor decision-making did not help matters, although there was a collective intake of breathe when Marco Parolo took aim from 35 yards, with his audacious, dipping effort forcing Joe Hart to tip over.

The ninth-minute effort appeared to kick-start the hosts, who began to threaten with increasing regularity.

Matteo Darmian all too easily got the better of Saints defender Nathaniel Clyne down the left to whip in a low cross which Eder would have slotted home was it not for Phil Jagielka's impressive intervention.

Chiellini, the top scorer in Italy's squad with six goals, headed the resulting corner wide – a let-off which appeared to jolt the visitors into life.

Harry Kane’s physicality was asking questions of the hosts' wily back three and his presence was the catalyst to England hitting the woodwork in the 21st minute.

The Spurs striker's header across to ex-Saint Theo Walcott was only cleared into the path of Wayne Rooney, whose strike from just outside the box rattled the crossbar.

England continued in the ascendancy, with Jordan Henderson having a penalty appeal rejected before Walcott was blocked off after receiving an exceptional cross field ball from Rooney.

However, England fell behind to a familiar face just as they were growing into the game.

 

Daily Echo:

Andros Townsend levels for England in Turin tonight.

Pelle, the only British-based player in the Italy squad, produced the kind of finish which has eluded him at Saints recently, meeting Chiellini's whipped cross with a glancing header past Hart.

Phil Jones, struggling at the base of the midfield diamond, all too easily allowed centre-back Chiellini to cross and was soon booked for colliding with Eder.

An injury to Manchester United team-mate Chris Smalling was perhaps a saving grace for Jones as it allowed him to drop back, with Michael Carrick taking his place as holding midfielder.

Kyle Walker came on for Clyne at the start the second half, which was just seven seconds old when Kane had his first shot of the night, albeit a tame effort easily saved by Buffon.

Hart had to do slightly better when called upon five minutes later.

Eder was slipped through on goal and brought a fine save out of the 50-cap goalkeeper, who was relieved to see Pelle slot wide when Jagielka's fluffed clearance fell straight into his path.

This was now, though, a far more even contest and Kane rippled the side-netting as England pushed for a leveller, with only a slight deflection off Chiellini carrying the shot wide of the near post.

Kieran Gibbs was the next to try his luck, but produced a weak finish, firing wide after being put through by Rooney following neat built-up play.

The England captain could have had a chance himself shortly afterwards had substitute Ross Barkley passed on the break rather than dallied on the ball as another opportunity passed by for Hodgson's men.

Jagielka and Walker produced last-ditch challenges to deny the hosts getting a shot away, while the ever-impressive Buffon saved a Rooney half-volley at the other end.

The Three Lions skipper soon directed Kane's low, fizzing cross wide as an equaliser continued to elude them in Turin.

Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason came on for his debut as the clock wound down, before a fellow substitute finally made the breakthrough.

Nine minutes after replacing the ineffective Fabian Delph, Townsend jinked into space and produced a wonderful, right-footed drive that flew past Buffon from 20 yards.

It was an exceptional strike and one which gave England renewed hope, with the Italy captain forced into a fine save to deny Rooney putting the visitors ahead moments later.

Luca Antonelli wasted a chance to secure the Azzurri victory, although Buffon's goal was under most pressure and Kane stung his palms before the full-time whistle was blown.