Azerbaijan U21 1-5 England U21: Harvey Elliott scores twice as young Lions roar to victory
Harvey Elliott pressed his claims for a late run into England's Euro 2024 squad with two goals in the U21s' 5-1 victory over Azerbaijan.
The 20-year-old Liverpool midfielder took his tally to seven goals in six matches and is now the leading scorer across the whole of this U21 Euros qualifying campaign.
Elliott will hope to catch Gareth Southgate's eye again at home to Luxembourg in Bolton on Tuesday as he looks to follow Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo in breaking into the senior set-up.
Chelsea's Noni Madueke scored his fourth of the campaign as the visitors pressed home their dominance with two goals inside five first-half minutes, with Aston Villa's Jaden Philogene and Elliott scoring after the break before debutant Archie Gray scored the fifth in the 88th minute.
It means the reigning European champions are the tournament's leading goalscorers with 25 and they drew level on points with Group F leaders Ukraine, who head to Baku on Tuesday.
From the outset Lee Carsley's side were able to expose weaknesses down Azerbaijan's right and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers had four chances in less than 10 minutes.
But the breakthrough did not come until the 25th minute and it was a Liverpool connection which made it in the Qarabag stadium in Baku.
Reds midfielder Tyler Morton, currently on loan at Hull, lofted a cross to the far post where Elliott ghosted in behind Rufat Ahmadov.
His brilliant first touch with his right foot allowed him to then poke it past goalkeeper Rustam Samigullin with his left.
Azerbaijan's right was exposed again in the 29th minute when Philogene broke and crossed low for Madueke to turn it in via a deflection off defender Seymur Mammadov.
The hosts' best chance came in the 41st minute when Aghadadash
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