Denmark U21 0-4 England U21: Loftus-Cheek double


Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek struck twice as England Under-21s continued their preparations for the European Championships with a comfortable 4-0 friendly win in Denmark.

Brighton winger Solly March and Burton loanee Cauley Woodrow also got on the scoresheet in Randers as England won for the first time since Aidy Boothroyd was appointed full-time manager.

Loftus-Cheek has made just four starts for Chelsea this season but his double took his tally for the under-21s to to six in his last seven appearances.

England dominated the game from start to finish after Boothroyd made 10 changes to the side beaten in Germany last Friday.

Reading's John Swift had already gone close when Loftus-Cheek fired the visitors into the lead after 10 minutes.

The chance was made by Jacob Murphy, with the Norwich midfielder breaking down the left and pulling back into the box for Loftus-Cheek to take a touch and stroke home coolly.

England doubled their lead just five minutes later after impressive captain Will Hughes stole possession and the ball was fed wide.

March cut in from the right and struck a curling left-foot shot from the edge of the area which flew in at the far post with aid of a deflection.

England continued to dictate the pace and Woodrow forced Jeppe Hojbjerg to save.

Denmark mustered little in response and it was not until just before the interval that goalkeeper Angus Gunn was called into action to keep out a long-range shot from Lasse Vigen Christensen.

Manchester City's Gunn made a better save when he tipped a low shot from Lucas Andersen round the post early in the second half but England soon tightened their grip.

Woodrow was denied from distance on the hour by substitute goalkeeper Andreas Hansen but scored from the resulting corner inside the six-yard box after Kortney Hause won a header.

Woodrow had another effort blocked before Loftus-Cheek claimed his second with a powerful shot through Hansen's grasp after a sharp turn in the area.

Andreas Maxso tested Gunn on a rare Denmark attack but was substituted soon after and showed his frustration by throwing a water bottle.

That preceded Denmark's best spell of the game but the result was never in doubt and the hosts already well beaten. Swift had another late chance for England but shot over.

Loftus-Cheek told BT Sport: "I really enjoyed it. I haven't played much for my club so it is important for me to work hard and try to get my sharpness when I come away with England."

Loftus-Cheek opened the scoring with a cool finish after 10 minutes and wrapped up victory with a powerful effort in the second half. Solly March and Cauley Woodrow also got on the scoresheet.

Boothroyd said: "He was excellent, he was terrific, but the only reason he was terrific was because he had 10 other players on the pitch that worked really hard for him and got him the ball.

"He made some really good decisions and overall I think it was a terrific performance. He has still got bits to do in certain aspects of his performance, but they all have. They are not end products yet."

England were beaten in Germany last week but Boothroyd believes his side can prepare for the upcoming European Championship in Poland in good heart.

He said: "I think the whole trip has been a good experience, coming to Denmark and playing them at their home and Germany - two really good games for us.

"The teams got mixed up but I think today was a real plus. I thought the way we played was really good and I was really pleased with the manner we went about our work.

"Maybe (we) could have been a bit more clinical but we didn't underestimate Denmark because they are in the European finals and are a good team. It makes it even more special to have got the result we did.

"There a few things we can pick out of the game that we can get better at but overall we are very pleased."

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