Saturday 7 October 2017 07:48, UK
England U21s put in an assured performance to overcome Scotland U21s 3-1 in their Euro 2019 Qualifier on Friday night.
Tottenham's Josh Onomah - currently on loan at Aston Villa - sent England on their way at the Riverside Stadium with a brilliantly improvised volley from 30-yards out after 14 minutes.
England had plenty of chances to go further ahead, and it was Tammy Abraham who doubled their lead from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half.
Chris Cadden gave Scotland hope late on (79), but Dominic Solanke scored just 63 seconds later to put the game to bed.
New York City FC's Jack Harrison, who paid his own way over from the USA, made a late appearance off the bench as England moved top of Group Four.
Scotland offered very little in the first half as England dominated proceedings from the off, and it took the Young Lions just 14 minutes to go ahead.
A headed clearance found its way to Onomah 30-yards out, and the 20-year-old chested it down before looping a stunning half-volley over Ryan Fulton.
Moments later, Abraham got the slightest of touches onto Dominic Calvert-Lewin's cross but it glanced the outside of the post.
Abraham was among the chances once more as Liam Smith blocked his effort on the line, while Solanke headed wide just before the break.
England went two-goals clear shortly after half-time, with Abraham picking himself up to coolly roll in the spot-kick after being fouled by John Souttar.
Scotland did manage to pull one back as Cadden stole in behind the England defence, but the hosts netted their third just one minute later as Abraham slid one over for Solanke to tap in.
The Spurs loanee got the ball rolling with a terrific half-volley in the first half, but it was the midfielder's vision throughout which put Scotland under threat.
The 20-year-old cut a composed figure in the middle of the park, and that allowed England's vibrant attack to impress in Middlesbrough.
England head to Andorra for their next qualifier on Tuesday, while Scotland head to Latvia on the same day.
