sport news Montenegro 1-5 England: Ross Barkley hits brace as England come from behind to ...

It was only a month after Kevin Keegan marked the final game at the old Wembley by resigning in a toilet that Callum Hudson-Odoi even arrived on this planet but on Monday night he certainly arrived on the international stage.

The moment came after 38 minutes of what proved a testing European Championship encounter for England, a teenager with less than two hours of Premier League experience beating two Montenegro defenders before providing what proved a precious assist.

Gareth Southgate’s side had levelled the scores some eight minutes earlier after conceding an unexpected goal from the home side. But it was the sight of the youngest competitive starter since Wayne Rooney skipping past Adam Marusic and Filip Stoikovic that ignited this contest.   

Ross Barkley scored a brace and Callum Hudson-Odoi was hugely impressive as England beat Montenegro 5-1

Ross Barkley scored a brace and Callum Hudson-Odoi was hugely impressive as England beat Montenegro 5-1

The England players celebrate with Barkley after his goal put them 3-0 up in their qualifying clash

The England players celebrate with Barkley after his goal put them 3-0 up in their qualifying clash

Barkley celebrates after putting England in the lead during their Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro

Barkley celebrates after putting England in the lead during their Euro 2020 qualifier against Montenegro

Hudson-Odoi's effort looked to be finding the net but Barkley made sure as he steered the ball past Danijel Petkovic

Hudson-Odoi's effort looked to be finding the net but Barkley made sure as he steered the ball past Danijel Petkovic

The England players, including Hudson-Odoi, congratulate Barkley following his first goal against Montenegro

The England players, including Hudson-Odoi, congratulate Barkley following his first goal against Montenegro

Barkley managed to find the net again from close range in the second half to increase England's lead against Montenegro

Barkley managed to find the net again from close range in the second half to increase England's lead against Montenegro

Barkley celebrates with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling after putting England in the lead against Montenegro

Barkley celebrates with Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling after putting England in the lead against Montenegro

Barkley put England ahead in the 38th minute after latching onto a cross from Chelsea team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi

Barkley put England ahead in the 38th minute after latching onto a cross from Chelsea team-mate Callum Hudson-Odoi

Hudson-Odoi’s run concluded with a shot from the edge of the Montenegro box and while it appeared to be heading a little wide of its target, Ross Barkley perfectly timed his run to meet the ball and score England’s second.

For Gareth Southgate it must have been particularly satisfying, and not just because his young side had shown great character in recovering from the initial setback of Marko Vesovic’s 17th minute opener.

Hudson-Odoi and Raheem Sterling were not having much joy on their respective flanks but ordering them to change places was a game changer; a move that liberated both wingers and completely unsettled their hosts. It led to two more England goals, Sterling battling his way into the box before producing the cross that invited Barkley to double England’s lead just before the hour before the man of the moment then burst down the right flank again to present Harry Kane with an easy finish.

Raheem Sterling celebrates following his goal in the second half, which made it 5-1 to England against Montenegro

Raheem Sterling celebrates following his goal in the second half, which made it 5-1 to England against Montenegro

Sterling finished well as he added further gloss to the scoreline, with England taking all three points from the game

Sterling finished well as he added further gloss to the scoreline, with England taking all three points from the game 

England cannot always expect to perform with quite the fluency and flair of that five-goal demolition of the Czech Republic. But Southgate predicted this would represent a different examination of England’s qualities and he must have been hugely satisfied by what he saw. They still had more than 70 per cent of the ball and in the end secured a convincing victory that already puts them in control of their Euro 2020 qualification group.

Declan Rice was also making his first competitive start and in the absence of Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier and he delivered a composed, mature display in central midfield. Positionally he was excellent.

While Barkley continues to grow in stature, building on those contributions against Spain and Croatia, not to mention his fine performance from the bench last Friday, with further evidence of his long-recognised ability. Here in Podgorica he was the provider of England’s first goal as well as the scorer of two more.

With each game this season Southgate keeps offering exciting glimpses of England’s future, and while Hudson-Odoi did endure certain difficulties for much of the first half he visibly grew in confidence.

Michael Keane celebrates after scoring his first goal for England, which pulled his team level in the 30th minute

Michael Keane celebrates after scoring his first goal for England, which pulled his team level in the 30th minute

Keane is jubilant after finding the net, which made up for his disappointing defending for Montenegro's opener

Keane is jubilant after finding the net, which made up for his disappointing defending for Montenegro's opener

Harry Kane slotted home in the 71st minute to make it 4-1 to England following a cross from Sterling

Harry Kane slotted home in the 71st minute to make it 4-1 to England following a cross from Sterling

Sterling, Barkley and Jordan Henderson congratulate Kane, whose goal added further gloss to the scoreline

Sterling, Barkley and Jordan Henderson congratulate Kane, whose goal added further gloss to the scoreline

Quite what his manager at Chelsea remains to be seen. But if Maurizio Sarri still thinks he is too young to earn serious consideration for a place in

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