Gareth Southgate hailed Ollie Watkins’ “fantasy” England debut after the Aston Villa striker scored in a 5-0 win against San Marino in Thursday’s opening World Cup qualifier. Only four years prior, Watkins was playing in English football’s fourth level with Exeter. The 25-year-old has appreciated a fleeting ascent from that point forward, joining Brentford in 2017 preceding moving to Villa a year ago in the wake of completing as top scorer in the Championship. He has scored multiple times in his first mission with the Premier League club, procuring a lady England call-up and an introduction against minnows San Marino at Wembley.
With England four objectives up because of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s support, a first worldwide objective for James Ward-Prowse and Raheem Sterling’s strike, Watkins went ahead following 63 minutes.
Set up by Phil Foden’s pass, Watkins scored with his initially shot in an England shirt with a cool low completion.
Watkins’ radiating face and the cheerful festivals of his partners underlined what an exceptional second it was for a player who has needed to battle his way to the top.
Britain supervisor Southgate recognised the meaning existing apart from everything else, saying: “The principal thing you saw was the response from the remainder of the group. That shows you how together they are. They understand how it affects him.
“He’s gotten comfortable actually rapidly with the gathering. He’s a truly modest kid and it was ideal to have the option to give him 30 minutes or thereabouts. For him to get an objective is fantasy right?”
Watkins once spent a large portion of a season borrowed at non-association Weston-Super-Mare, making him even more keen to his moment accomplishment with England.
“It’s amazing, it’s what I’ve imagined going frankly. I’m astounded,” he said.
“It’s been a decent excursion. I simply feel regarded that I can get over here and pull on the shirt and find the opportunity to play with the players I’m playing with and even score on my presentation. I was unable to compose it, I’m delighted.”
Significant exercises
Watkins was the stand-apart story on an agreeable night for England, who might have won by a long shot more notwithstanding a fine presentation from San Marino attendant Elia Benedettini.
The San Marino match, Sunday’s excursion to Albania and Poland’s visit to Wembley on Wednesday are altogether World Cup qualifiers, yet they fill in as imperative warm-ups for the deferred Euro 2020, what begins in June.
Southgate’s 50th game as England supervisor will not wait long in the memory given the lack of the resistance, yet he still scholarly important exercises.
Calvert-Lewin’s savage completions were informative, while Jesse Lingard, Mason Mount and Ward-Prowse all got the attention in midfield.
“I was truly satisfied with not just the manner in which we moved the ball rapidly and the exchange of positions, yet the manner in which we squeezed when we lost the ball featured the mindset of the group for the entire an hour and a half,” Southgate said.
“Artisan in the primary half was amazing, established the pace. Great to see Jesse resemble he’s making the most of his football once more, so I thought there were a ton of beneficial things.
“Obviously it’s an adversary we should beat yet I thought they approached their work truly well.”
Mount chose Ben Chilwell’s run into the punishment region and the left-back’s pass was certainly changed over by Ward-Prowse in the fourteenth moment.
Calvert-Lewin multiplied England’s lead in the 21st moment as the Everton striker met Reece James’ cross with a clinical far post header.
Teed up by the persuasive Mount in the 31st moment, Sterling got the third when he meshed into the six-yard box for a shot that diverted in off Dante Carlos Rossi.
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