Sterling silences the haters
England winger wants stadium ban after racist fans target players Southgate’s men hit five goals for the second time in four days
There was such outstanding beauty to England’s performance but such a viciously ugly aftermath to this sweeping victory in which, in the words of the Montenegro coach, they confirmed themselves as one of the best teams in the world.
Pity Ljubisa Tumbakovic did not have the bravery to condemn the Montenegrin fans who racially abused Danny Rose and Callum Hudson-odoi, an 18-year-old so brilliant on his full England debut who had to deal with this – and did so as assuredly as he played.
Thankfully, unequivocally and immediately, Gareth Southgate condemned it.
He stood up like his players stood up; like Raheem Sterling, who was excellent again, stood up as he pulled at his ears in front of the furious abusers after scoring England’s fifth goal. It was clear what he meant by that as he later confirmed in an Instagram post: “Best way to silence the haters (yeah I mean racists)”.
A lighter was thrown after Sterling scored, and was picked up by Hudson-odoi and passed to the England bench, and an official complaint will be made to Uefa, who have to act and act hard. The evidence is there – Uefa’s own observer heard it, as Southgate later confirmed – and is overwhelming.
Montenegro had promised a “hellish atmosphere” but this is a version of hell that is not about hostility or trying to passionately support your team. If they want hell then let them be condemned.
England have had a hard time here in the past, with objects thrown, chanting, fighting, and here it was again with definite and clear racist abuse. Montenegro can deny it as much as they want.
Southgate’s side would not be denied. It is a difficult shift from opening a report on such horrific behaviour to discussing the match, but Southgate and his players deserve praise for their exciting, confident football. They gave the perfect response on and off the pitch.
After two ties in their qualification group for Euro 2020, they have scored 10 goals – five goals in each game, back-to-back for the first time since 1984 – and their dominant form is such, and with a young and uninhibited team, that the rest of the world is taking note.
What is so pleasing is that the rate of progress is accelerating. England have moved on and moved up from the World Cup. Southgate is becoming increasingly bold, increasingly brave, but also increasingly assured.
England have not won away to Montenegro before last night. Twice before they have lost a lead to suffer chaotic draws. This time they went behind only to take total control and run out ruthless winners and completely demoralise their opponents.
Even when Montenegro tried to rough England up near the end, there was a physical response with no nonsense taken by Rose and Jordan Henderson, who came on as a second-half substitute to earn his 50th cap, and who even stepped them up a gear.
They would not be intimidated. They would not be cowed. They certainly would not be beaten.
For England, and only England, there were positives everywhere: a quite marvellous performance from Hudson-odoi, an astonishingly assured one from Declan Rice and the resurgence of Ross Barkley, who had appeared to be in the wilderness not so long ago but emphatically belongs now.
There was another test for England – they fell behind and did so to Montenegro’s first attack and through a couple of mistakes. That they scored twice themselves after that before half-time – and went from one down to 2-1 up in 21 minutes – spoke volumes.
But first the Montenegro goal, with Hudson-odoi too easily beaten in the air – it was his only mistake – and with Michael Keane failing to clear. It broke to Marko Vesovic, who comfortably beat Keane in the penalty area, went away from Harry Maguire and arced a right-foot shot around Jordan Pickford.
For Keane and Hudson-odoi, there would be the satisfaction of a significant involvement in England’s response, as there was also from Barkley, who contributed an assist and a goal – his first for his country for four years.
It was from his deep free-kick that Keane rose beyond the far post, beating Montenegro captain Stefan Savic to guide a header back across goal and into the net for his first England goal on his seventh appearance.
Then Harry Kane turned the ball out wide to Hudson-odoi, who had swapped wings with Sterling, and he cut in from the left and drifted away from two defenders before shooting right-footed, with Barkley getting a vital touch to guide it past goalkeeper Danijel Petkovic.
Having seized the initiative, England maintained it; did not let it go; did not stop trying to press their advantage.
As he had promised, Southgate had made changes, four in all despite a depleted squad, and it showed his confidence and belief.
He did it without hesitation, including swapping Jadon Sancho for Hudson-odoi – and it was the latter who threatened twice, with a cross and a run and shot, before Sterling’s close control and tenacity set up Barkley, who ran onto the ball and slammed it home for his second goal.
Montenegro were beaten but England kept going – as all good teams do – and they are now very good.
If anything, Sterling’s influence grew and he appeared set to make a point as he first set up Kane, after astutely being put through by Barkley, who side-footed his 17th goal in his past 20 England games.
Finally, deservedly, Sterling had his goal, his sixth in four games, as he ran on to Henderson’s superb pass and nutmegged Petkovic. What a perfect response on such an imperfect occasion.
“It’s a really sad evening,” Southgate said. It was – and it was not. What happens now really matters and, as for England, they are doing all the right things.