Five-goal England overwhelm Iceland
Thursday, November 10, 2011
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England 5-0 Iceland
Free-scoring England are five points clear at the top of qualifying Group 8 after a second comfortable victory against Iceland.
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England's excellent start to UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 8 continued as a dominant performance against Iceland was rounded off with two fine goals from substitute Gary Gardner.
It was a fourth win in succession for England, who are five points clear of second-placed Norway, have scored 16 goals and conceded just once in reply. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the star in Reykjavik last month, hitting a hat-trick in England's 3-0 win, and the 18-year-old should have opened the scoring in the return but chipped wide after stealing the ball from Eidur Sigurbjornsson.
The opening goal came from Marvin Sordell, who released Jordan Henderson before powering into the penalty box to guide the Liverpool FC midfielder's cross into the net. Martin Kelly then stole possession from Gudlaugur Pálsson and charged through to finish emphatically on 58 minutes, before fellow centre-back Craig Dawson headed in his fourth goal in qualifying with five minutes remaining.
Aston Villa FC midfielder Gardner scored the first goals of his senior career in added time, the first a beautiful curling free-kick from 25 metres and the second a low shot from the edge of the area. Belgium will try to halt England's momentum when they host Stuart Pearce's side on Monday in Mons.