Premier League icon's son loved by Pep Guardiola inspires England under-17s to huge win

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Emile Heskey’s son Reigan was on target in a stunning 8-1 win vs Haiti as the England under-17s breathed new life into their World Cup campaign. The Young Lions were under huge pressure after losing their first group game 3-0 to Venezuela.

Another defeat would have put England on the verge of an early exit from the tournament. Fortunately, there were no such fears as they eased to a dominant victory.

Luca Williams-Barnett got England off to a perfect start with a goal in the opening minute, with Heskey doubling the lead from the penalty spot just before the 15-minute mark. Franco Celestin halved Haiti’s deficit just three minutes later but Reggie Walsh then restored England’s two-goal lead with only 20 minutes played.

The goals continued to flow after the break with Alejandro Gomes Rodriguez and Williams-Barnett finding the net, while Chizaram Ezenwata bagged a stunning second-half hat-trick in just 22 minutes.

England’s win leaves them third in their group ahead of their final group game against Egypt on Monday. A victory in that game will be enough to see them qualify for the knockout rounds, but a draw will not be enough should Venezuela beat Haiti in their respective final match.

Heskey junior will certainly hope to have an impact once more having been hailed by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola , who handed him his debut alongside brother Jaden earlier this season.

He said: “Today, six players from the academy made the starting XI. Two more came on, the Heskey brothers. I think their father and mother will be so proud of their kids.”

Speaking about his sons earlier this year, Heskey senior said: “They are both very athletic. The young one is very quick. The older one is a bit of a beast like I was. They've both got similar attributes."

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On how he has guided them so far, Heskey told Mirror Football: “I’m someone who stands really far back and I become a dad, really. If they want to ask me something, I tell them, or if they want to come out with me and do a little bit extra, then I’ll take them, but I’m not the one who’s going to force them.

“They enjoy it, they love it. Yes, there are some times when I think ‘I want to say something’, but the reality is it’s not my career.

“Another reality is, what has the manager or coach told them to do? Because if I tell them to do something different then there’s a conflict there.

“So I take a step back and I enjoy watching it, to be honest, as it’s nice to see them progressing. I’ve watched them from the age of four and now they’re 19 and 17, they’re doing fantastic.”

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