text: Andros Townsend enjoyed silencing the critics with his wonder strike for England, saying naysayers like Paul Merson provided the perfect motivation for him in Italy. This has been a topsy-turvy season for the 23-year-old, who has yet to reach the heights he scaled when he first burst onto the international scene. Three Lions manager Roy Hodgson has, however, kept faith with the Tottenham winger - belief he paid back in quite exceptional fashion at the Juventus Stadium. Andros Townsend scores England's equaliser in their 1-1 friendly draw with Italy in Turin on Tuesday night . Townsend celebrates his strike with Tottenham Hotspur team-mates Ryan Mason (left) and Kyle Walker .
target: Andros Townsend scored the equaliser in England's 1-1 draw with Italy .
  Townsend tweeted  to hit back at Paul Merson for his previous comments .
  Townsend has been been 'desperate' to silence his critics .
  Merson had slammed Townsend for his display against Man UnitedÂ .