- Harvey Elliott scored twice in dominant victory on Tuesday night
- Midfielder Tyler Morton opened the scoring from distance in the first-half
- It’s the world against Everton – it can galvanise the players to stay up – IAKO
It might not have been the way he imagined when growing up as a Scouser in the Liverpool academy, but to score the first goal of his career at Everton’s Goodison Park marked a special day for Tyler Morton.
The midfielder, on loan at Hull City and one of three Tigers in the squad, helped England to their a thumping win over Northern Ireland in a European Championships qualifier, with Liverpool team-mate Harvey Elliott joining him by scoring a brace on the ground of his club’s rivals.
Morton took a powerful clearance down well with his chest before scoring from distance on the half-volley.
Elliott fired in a long-range free-kick and then doubled his tally with a fine chip after darting behind the defence.
It was far from the febrile noise expected at Goodison on Sunday for the visit of Manchester United, in which Everton fans will protest against their 10-point Premier League deduction.
Liverpool star Harvey Elliott scored twice as England U21s claimed a dominant victory
Midfielder Tyler Morton opened the scoring from distance on the half-volley in the first-half
Elliott fired in a long-range free-kick to double England’s advantage in the 52nd minute
Elliott doubled his tally with a fine chip after darting behind the defence in the 80th minute
But it was still a proud night for the Toffees as defender Jarrad Branthwaite was captain.
Branthwaite, who has started the last 12 Everton games and lost just four of those, was watched by club manager Sean Dyche in the stands.
There were also several EFL bosses and Gareth Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland spotted on scouting missions.
It leaves the team second in Group F, three points behind Ukraine who beat Azerbaijan 1-0.
In what looks increasingly likely to be a straight shootout for the group win, the pair play each other in the penultimate game in October, and the Young Lions are in the rare position of playing catch-up.
It is clearly a chase they can achieve and, while boss Lee Carsley will say otherwise, the last game with his youngsters until March was a stroll
