CHEEKY DOUBLE INSPIRES ENGLAND
ENGLAND’S Under 21s continued their build-up to this summer’s European Championship with a 4-0 demolition of Denmark, and the powerful Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek (right) scored two of the goals. ‘Ruben was terrific,’ said coach Aidy Boothroyd. ‘But he had 10 other players who worked really hard for him.’
AIDY BOOTHROYD’S reign as England Under 21 boss is up and running after a stunning display from Ruben Loftus-Cheek inspired this demolition of Denmark last night. The Chelsea midfielder struck twice and provided an assist as England scored four unanswered goals to give Boothroyd his first victory since being made Gareth Southgate’s successor at the start of last month.
Englland had been left befuddled by Germany’s tactics three days earlier, so the emphatic scoreline and stylish way they dispatched the Danes came as a huge relief to Boothroyd, who said: ‘The way we played was really good and I was really pleased with the manner we went about it.
‘Maybe we could have been more clinical, but we didn’t underestimate Denmark because they are in the European finals and are a good team. It makes it even more special to have got this result.
‘There are a few things we can pick out of the game that we can get better at, but overall we are very pleased.’
Boothroyd added of the outstanding Loftus-Cheek: ‘He is the type of player who can win a game on his own. If we can get the other part of the game (defending) into him, he will be some prospect.
‘He made some really good decisions and it was a terrific performance. He has still got bits to do in aspects of his performance, but they all have. They are not finished items. ‘The objective was to look at different players but results matter,’ added Boothroyd, whose side start their Euro 2017 campaign against Sweden on June 16. ‘ To finish like this was excellent. The lads who have come in have given me a bit of a problem.’
Boothroyd made 10 changes to the team who lost 1-0 to Germany and the way they charged out of the blocks meant the game was effectively wrapped up inside 15 minutes.
Loftus-Cheek opened the scoring, sweeping in a pass from Norwich winger Jacob Murphy, before he turned provider, galloping through Denmark’s midfield to tee up Brighton’s Solly March. There were more opportunities before the interval but it was only after the break that England hammered home their superiority over Denmark.
Manchester City’s Angus Gunn was called into action to keep out a shot from Lasse Vigen Christensen, then tipped a low shot from Lucas Andersen round a post before England tightened their grip.
Cauley Woodrow, on loan at Burton from Fulham, put the game beyond Denmark’s reach in the 61st minute when he pounced to turn in a header from Kortney Hause, but the best was still to come from Loftus-Cheek. A marauding run carried him into Denmark’s area in the 69th minute and, after linking with Jack Grealish, Loftus-Cheek unleashed a drive that stung goalkeeper Jeppe Hojbjerg’s hands as it flashed into the net.
Loftus-Cheek, 21, is struggling for game time at Chelsea and has made only four starts for Antonio Conte’s side this season. But he showed no signs of rustiness here and reflected with satisfaction after seizing a rare chance to shine.
‘I really enjoyed it,’ he told BT Sport. ‘I haven’t played much for my club so it’s important for me to work hard and try to get my sharpness when I come away with England.’
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Gunn 7; Gomez 8, Holding 7, Hause 7, McQueen 7; Hughes 7, Swift 7; March 8 (Gray 61min, 6), Loftus-Cheek 9, Murphy 6 (Grealish 38, 6.5); Woodrow 7 (Abraham 74, 6).