England U21s went objective loopy as they produced a shocking show to crush Serbia 9-1.
Chelsea ahead Noni Madueke, debutant Jaden Philogene and Harvey Elliott all scored twice on the Metropolis Floor.
Liam Delap, Jonathan Rowe and Luka Subotic’s personal objective heaped additional distress on Serbia because the Younger Lions got here from behind of their first residence recreation since profitable Euro 2023.
They needed to hit again, regardless of dominating, after Vladimir Lucic’s stylish strike gave Serbia the lead within the Euro 2025 qualifier.
Victory made it two from two in Group F forward of Monday’s recreation with Ukraine in Slovakia.
Boss Lee Carsley had moved to distance this squad as European champions with simply six of his winners that includes on Thursday after the vast majority of the category of 2023 aged out.
His new-look Younger Lions ought to have been cruising inside 10 minutes however Charlie Cresswell planted a free header vast after Philogene’s effort was turned over by Veljko Ilic.
The goalkeeper then gathered a tame effort from Elliott and continued to disclaim the hosts, a response cease holding out Philogene on the far publish.
Madueke pulled the strings, the ahead teasing the overworked Serbia defence, however he ought to have executed higher than to tug vast following a neat trade with Hayden Hackney.
Carsley’s aspect dominated, Elliott capturing over, however they had been shocked by Serbia after 27 minutes.
Lucic began the transfer on the left and when Nikola Stankovic was performed in behind Hackney he discovered Lucic to brilliantly information a first-time end into the highest nook from 16 yards.
It was a shocking end and checked England’s momentum which, till then, had solely been rising.
The Younger Lions had been briefly cautious as they sized their opponents up once more, however Delap ought to have levelled 9 minutes earlier than the break slightly than let Ilic save together with his legs.
But simply two minutes later they levelled as Philogene marked his debut by smashing in excessive from the sting of the field after being gifted the ball by Ilic.
Elliott went shut earlier than England obtained the second they deserved after 41 minutes when captain Cole Palmer was thwarted by Ilic however Philogene recycled the ball to search out Delap who crashed in from 5 yards.
It opened the floodgates and Elliott added a 3rd when he collected the ball, superior and arrowed a strike into the highest nook.
Eight minutes after the break Madueke obtained the objective he deserved when he danced throughout the Serbia defence and drilled in low.
It was now a procession, with Serbia resorting to pointless fouls to halt England’s rhythm, however they may do nothing to cease Madueke’s second.
Hackney was allowed to run and slip the ball into Rico Lewis whose backheel discovered Madueke to roll into the nook.
England continued to pile on the ache and Philogene obtained his second after 63 minutes, Delap unselfishly squaring to his Hull team-mate after Lewis put him clear.
The scoreline mirrored the gulf in high quality and Cresswell and James McAtee went near including a seventh earlier than Elliott hit the crossbar.
It was left to Serbia to embarrass themselves as, beneath strain from Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Mitar Ergelas’ clearance clattered off Subotic and looped over Ilic with three minutes left.
There was nonetheless time for substitute Rowe to get a debut objective, the Norwich ahead heading in Elliott’s cross from shut vary.
Then, in stoppage time, Elliott added the flourish with a ninth objective, seizing on Igor Miladinovic’s wretched go to finish the scoring.
Carsley filled with reward for ‘cut-throat’ England kids
England U21 boss Lee Carsley:
“You may’t afford to waste too many possibilities they usually had been cut-throat within the second half. It was good to see as a result of it helps with their confidence,” stated Carsley, who takes his workforce to Slovakia to face Ukraine on Monday.
“Generally whenever you see the scoreline, for those who hadn’t been on the recreation, you’d suppose it was a stroll within the park nevertheless it did not really feel like that, particularly going a objective down.
“We spoke about it just a few days in the past, how will this squad react to a setback? To go a objective down if you end up so in management, it is testomony to the gamers they responded the precise manner.
“The basics of tonight had been based mostly on outworking your opponent. It is vital if you’re going to get a protracted profession and play for England you might be technically and bodily higher than your opponent.
“We did that everywhere in the pitch. When the scoreline began getting away from Serbia we did not cease.”
What’s next?
England journey to Slovakia to tackle Ukraine for his or her subsequent Group F Qualifier on Monday October 16, kick-off at 5.30pm.