WAT A START
Ollie’s smile after debut goal lights up an easy night for Southgate’s men
OLLIE WATKINS made a dream England debut last night after scoring within 20 minutes of coming on in their opening World Cup qualifier at Wembley. Watkins, who becomes the first Aston Villa player to score on his England debut since Darius Vassell in February 2002, added some gloss as England thumped San Marino for five.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice, with James Ward-Prowse (left) – scoring his first international goal – and Raheem Sterling also finding the net, in what was Gareth Southgate’s 50th game in
charge. Watkins said: “Unbelievable, it’s what I have dreamt about.
“All day in the hotel I was just thinking that I hope to get a chance to come on, enjoy it and get the opportunity to score. I’m speechless, to be honest.
“It’s been a good journey. I just feel honoured that I can come out here and play for my country with these players and score on my debut. Over the moon.
“I just wanted to get on the pitch for a start. I have and I can’t believe it.
“I’m going to take each game as it comes, focus on my club form, play consistently for Aston Villa, score for them, help the team push up the table and hopefully get into Europe. Then take it from there.”
Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund’s 17-year-old sensation, impressed after coming on as a second-half substitute.
England boss Gareth Southgate said: “We did it as well as we could. I was really pleased with the way we pressed when we lost the ball.
“There were lots of good individual performances. Kalvin Phillips, he’s used the ball well and his athleticism around the pitch was good. Mason Mount in the first half was excellent.”