Stuart Pearce’s England U21 side thumped four past Denmark to no reply in an international friendly in Viborg yesterday evening.
Danny Welbeck, Scott Sinclair, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson were all on target as England finished the game with an impressive score line against a spirited Danish side. Although the result was synonymous with the Young Lion’s ranking as the number one U21 side in the world right now, the performance was at times questionable with Denmark particularly dominant in the first half.
The game started off with a sour note as Manchester City defender Micah Richards was stretchered off after just five minutes with a hamstring problem. It was big blow for the U21 captain and no doubt his club boss Roberto Mancini will be hoping that his injury is not too serious.
On-loan Bolton striker scored
Daniel Sturridge scored England's
third goal of the game.
Although Danish ‘keeper Jonas Lossl had little to deal with in the first period, it was England who went into the break in front, courtesy of a cracking goal from on-loan Sunderland striker Danny Welbeck, whose first touch was exquisite before riffling a shot into the roof of the net before Lossl could even move.
England certainly performed better after the break, and two goals in four minutes put the continually dangerous looking Danes to bed. Swansea City’s Scott Sinclair scored England’s second goal of the game in the 58th minute after latching on quickly to a rebound after the impressive Daniel Sturridge had his shot saved by Lossl. Bolton loanee Sturridge finally got the goal his performance deserved moments later when he cut inside and lashed the ball home from just inside the area. A much improved second half performance from the Young Lions’ was rounded off in the 72nd minute, when Sunderland academy graduate Jordan Henderson finished well after a superb ball from right-back Kyle Naughton.
The score line certainly flattered Pearce’s men, but four goals against a strong Danish side should certainly be congratulated. No doubt Fabio Capello will be hoping that his Senior side exert the goal-scoring prowess of the U21s in their Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow. Meanwhile Pearce’s team continue their Under 21 Championship Finals preparation with a friendly against Iceland at Preston’s Deepdale stadium on Monday night.
