Gibbs hits brace and sets up another as England U21s annihalate Azerbaijan*Watch his goals*
Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs capped a breakthrough season with a well-taken brace as England U-21s thrashed their Azerbaijan counterparts 7-0 in their final warm-up game before the UEFA u-21 European Championships in Sweden, which commence next Monday.
It was Gibbs’ first start at this level and, following an impressive performance, he looks to have secured his place in the starting line-up for the first group stage game against Finland.
The Three Lions raced out of the traps, taking the lead with just 48 seconds on the clock. Chelsea’s Michael Mancienne got the ball rolling with a composed finish after Mark Noble’s effort had struck the post.
An own-goal by Elchin Sadigov made it 2-0 to Stuart Pearce’s side before Gibbs played his part in the third goal. The Lambeth-born youngster played a delightful ball into the path of Craig Gardner who finished with aplomb.
Lee Cattermole then volleyed home superbly from Andrew Taylor’s cross to make it 4-0, but the night belonged to Gibbs who scored both the fifth and sixth goals of the game.
His first was a well-taken strike from Danny Rose’s cross and his second came via the same provider following an instinctive burst into the box.
Everton’s Jack Rodwell completed the rout with a superb deflected effort from 25 yards and England will now travel to Sweden full of confidence.
You can watch both of Kieran’s goals by clicking on the links below:
