England ease to win in friendly

Wearsider Steph Houghton led England’s Women’s team to a 3-0 win over Austria in their final home friendly before Euro 2017.

Goals from Ellen White, Lucy Bronze and Izzy Christiansen gave England a 3-0 win over Austria at Stadium MK.

White’sfifth-minutegoal and second-half strikes from Bronze and Christiansen secured a moraleboosting victory ahead of this summer’s tournament in Holland.

Austria were caught out by England’s first attack of note. A neat build-up saw Millie Bright find Christiansen, who swung in a cross which White glanced beyond keeper Manuela Zinsberger.

It was almost two after half an hour, when Jordan Nobbs left her marker for dead before crossing towards Toni Duggan. The ball ricocheted off an Austria defender, forcing Zinsberger into a fingertip save.

In the second half England might have had a penalty for a tug on Christiansen in the area, but nothing was given.

Zinsberger was eventually beaten for a second time in the 67th minute. Christiansen hit a dipping shot which crashed off the underside of the crossbar and bounced out to former Sunderland Ladies defender Bronze, who tapped in from close range.

Four minutes from time Christiansen got the faintest of touches on Houghton’s header to wrap up the victory. Another Wearsider Jill Scott made a late sub appearance.