England U21 3-0 Northern Ireland U21: Liverpool duo Tyler Morton and Harvey Elliott strike in victory at Goodison Park as Lee Carsley’s side keep the pressure on group leaders Ukraine

• 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

MATCH FACTS

ENGLAND U21 (4-3-3): Trafford 6; Livramento 7 (Norton-Cuffy 46min, 6), Quansah 7, Branthwaite 7, Wilson-Esbrand 6.5 (Patino 84); Elliott 7.5, Morton 7.5, Hackney 7 (McAtee 70, 6); Madueke 7, Stansfield 6 (Delap 70, 6), Bynoe-Gittens 6 (Iling-Junior 70, 6).

Subs not used: Cox, Harwood-Bellis, Philogene, Norton-Cuffy, Cresswell.

Goals: Morton 32, Elliott 52,80.

Booked: Branthwaite.

Manager: Lee Carsley 6.

N Ireland U21: Clarke, Johnston, McConville, Forbes, Donnelly, McKiernan (Falls 69), Devlin (Kelly 64), McDonnell (McCann 64), Allen, McGuckin (Fogarty 64), Devenny (Baggley 82).

Subs Not Used: Barnsley,Jason Lindsay,McGee,Robinson.

Booked: Forbes,McDonnell,Devlin,McCann

Referee: Lothar D’hondt (Bel).

Attendance: 7,890.

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