Elliot double helps England U21 beat Northern Ireland

2 years ago 37

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Tyler Morton scores 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-ups

England U21

Formation 4-3-3

1Trafford
2LivramentoSubstituted forNorton-Cuffyat 45'minutes
16Quansah
4BranthwaiteBooked at 36mins
23Wilson-EsbrandSubstituted forPatinoat 84'minutes
19Elliott
6HackneySubstituted forMcAteeat 70'minutes
14Morton
11Madueke
20StansfieldSubstituted forDelapat 71'minutes
21Bynoe-GittensSubstituted forIling-Juniorat 70'minutes

Substitutes

5Harwood-Bellis
7Philogene
8Patino
9Delap
10McAtee
12Norton-Cuffy
13Cox
15Cresswell
17Iling-Junior

Northern Ireland U21

Formation 4-4-2

1Clarke
2Johnston
5McConville
4ForbesBooked at 36mins
3Donnelly
7Allen
17DevlinBooked at 50minsSubstituted forKellyat 64'minutes
6McDonnellBooked at 35minsSubstituted forMcCannat 64'minutesBooked at 75mins
11DevennySubstituted forBaggleyat 82'minutes
10McKiernanSubstituted forFallsat 70'minutes
9McGuckinSubstituted forFogartyat 64'minutes

Substitutes

8Kelly
12Barnsley
14McGee
15Robinson
16McCann
18Baggley
19Fogarty
20Falls
22Lindsay

Live Text

Match ends, England U21 3, Northern Ireland U21 0.
Second Half ends, England U21 3, Northern Ireland U21 0.
Offside, Northern Ireland U21. Joshua Clarke tries a through ball, but Conor Falls is caught offside.
Foul by Liam Delap (England U21).
Michael Forbes (Northern Ireland U21) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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.
Corner, England U21. Conceded by Ruairi McConville.
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.
Substitution, England U21. Charlie Patino replaces Josh Wilson-Esbrand because of an injury.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution, Northern Ireland U21. Barry Baggley replaces Justin Devenny.
Delay in match because of an injury Josh Wilson-Esbrand (England U21).
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.
Attempt blocked. Noni Madueke (England U21) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by James McAtee.
Attempt blocked. Charlie McCann (Northern Ireland U21) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Patrick Kelly.
Attempt blocked. Liam Delap (England U21) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Noni Madueke.
Charlie McCann (Northern Ireland U21) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy (England U21) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Charlie McCann (Northern Ireland U21).
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.