Liverpool's Tyler Morton opened the scoring for England Under-21s
Two goals from Harvey Elliott helped England to a comfortable win over Northern Ireland in their 2025 Euro Under-21 Championship qualifying match at Goodison Park.
Elliott's Liverpool team-mate Tyler Morton, making his first start for Lee Carsley's side, opened the scoring for the hosts in the 32nd minute.
A cross into the box by Newcastle's Tino Livramento was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area and Morton controlled it with his chest before drilling the ball low into the corner.
The Young Lions dominated the match from the start and defenders Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell Quansah were on hand to stop the few times Northern Ireland looked to counter-attack.
Noni Madueke went close after being put through by an excellent pass from Quansah before Jay Stansfield, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and Hayden Hackney all had chances to score.
England's last home match was a 9-1 thrashing of Serbia but this time they were without Rico Lewis and Cole Palmer, who have since made their debuts for Gareth Southgate's senior team.
England continued to dominate after the break and it was not long before they doubled their lead.
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott was fouled around 25 yards out and he picked himself up to take the resulting free-kick, curling the ball over the wall and into the bottom corner.
Elliott then struck again when he was played through the middle of the Northern Ireland defence and he chipped the ball confidently over keeper Josh Clarke to make it 3-0.
Northern Ireland did not register a shot on target, with their closest chance coming when left-back Aaron Donnelly put a dangerous cross into the six-yard box, which was well taken by goalkeeper James Trafford.
Elliott nearly got his hat-trick late on with an acrobatic volley but the effort was well saved by Clarke.
The result leaves England second in Group F on 12 points behind Ukraine, while Northern Ireland remain bottom of the group on three points.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsEngland U21
Formation 4-3-3
1Trafford2Livramento16Quansah4Branthwaite23Wilson-Esbrand19Elliott6Hackney14Morton11Madueke20Stansfield21Bynoe-Gittens
- 1Trafford2LivramentoSubstituted forNorton-Cuffyat 45'minutes16Quansah4BranthwaiteBooked at 36mins23Wilson-EsbrandSubstituted forPatinoat 84'minutes19Elliott6HackneySubstituted forMcAteeat 70'minutes14Morton11Madueke20StansfieldSubstituted forDelapat 71'minutes21Bynoe-GittensSubstituted forIling-Juniorat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Harwood-Bellis7Philogene8Patino9Delap10McAtee12Norton-Cuffy13Cox15Cresswell17Iling-Junior
Northern Ireland U21
Formation 4-4-2
1Clarke2Johnston5McConville4Forbes3Donnelly7Allen17Devlin6McDonnell11Devenny10McKiernan9McGuckin
- 1Clarke2Johnston5McConville4ForbesBooked at 36mins3Donnelly7Allen17DevlinBooked at 50minsSubstituted forKellyat 64'minutes6McDonnellBooked at 35minsSubstituted forMcCannat 64'minutesBooked at 75mins11DevennySubstituted forBaggleyat 82'minutes10McKiernanSubstituted forFallsat 70'minutes9McGuckinSubstituted forFogartyat 64'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Kelly12Barnsley14McGee15Robinson16McCann18Baggley19Fogarty20Falls22Lindsay
Referee:Lothar D'HondtMatch StatsHome TeamEngland U21Away TeamNorthern Ireland U21PossessionHome74%Away26%ShotsHome23Away1Shots on TargetHome7Away0CornersHome9Away0FoulsHome4Away10Live Text Post update
Match ends, England U21 3, Northern Ireland U21 0.
90'+7'Full Time
Second Half ends, England U21 3, Northern Ireland U21 0.
90'+5'Post update
Offside, Northern Ireland U21. Joshua Clarke tries a through ball, but Conor Falls is caught offside.
90'+4'Post update
Foul by Liam Delap (England U21).
90'+4'Post update
Michael Forbes (Northern Ireland U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt missed. Liam Delap (England U21) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Harvey Elliott with a cross following a corner.
90'+2'Post update
Corner, England U21. Conceded by Ruairi McConville.
85'Post update
Attempt saved. Harvey Elliott (England U21) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James McAtee with a cross.
84'Substitution
Substitution, England U21. Charlie Patino replaces Josh Wilson-Esbrand because of an injury.
83'Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
82'Substitution
Substitution, Northern Ireland U21. Barry Baggley replaces Justin Devenny.
81'Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Josh Wilson-Esbrand (England U21).
80'goalGoal!
Goal! England U21 3, Northern Ireland U21 0. Harvey Elliott (England U21) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Tyler Morton with a through ball.
77'Post update
Attempt blocked. Noni Madueke (England U21) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by James McAtee.
76'Post update
Attempt blocked. Charlie McCann (Northern Ireland U21) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Kelly.
76'Post update
Attempt blocked. Liam Delap (England U21) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Noni Madueke.
75'Booking
Charlie McCann (Northern Ireland U21) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
75'Post update
Brooke Norton-Cuffy (England U21) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
75'Post update
Foul by Charlie McCann (Northern Ireland U21).
74'Post update
Attempt saved. Noni Madueke (England U21) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Harvey Elliott.
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Source: bbc.com