| A convincing 4-0 win over Belgium in Boro sees Under-21s back on track. England Under-21s collected a valuable three points against Belgium here in Middlesbrough to move themselves seven points clear at the top of their UEFA European Championship Qualifying group. Cheered on by nearly 23000 fans at the Riverside, England moved a step closer to the Finals in Israel next summer. A brace from Henri Lansbury, one from Steven Caulker and a late Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain penalty gave the Three Lions a comfortable win, which also put to bed Belgium's hopes of overhauling their lead in the table. With Stuart Pearce away with the Senior Team, Brian Eastick took the reins temporarily, but was very keen to ensure that things stayed the same. What he did want to see change, though, was England's creativity in the final third, after they dominated the game away in Belgium in November, but conceded two late goals to lose the match 2-1. Victory here would have given England a great chance to reach the Euro 2013 play-offs, with two games to play. And Lansbury gave them the perfect start, swinging in a deep cross-shot from the left flank. It looked promising as soon as it left his right boot and dipped perfectly under the bar to make it 1-0. He almost grabbed a second from twenty yards five minutes later, but Koen Casteels was at full stretch to push away for a corner. The visitors weren't keeping quiet, though, and through Thomas Meunier they had their first chance, forcing Jack Butland ... |
