It was a mixed first half, Kosovo took a surprise lead after Michael Keane's hospital back pass let Berisha put it past Jordan Pickford in the first minute. England, however, were unphased by this and by the 8th minute they were level courtesy of a redeeming header from Keane to set up Sterling. With that England began where they left off against Bulgaria on Saturday.

Harry Kane finished with his left foot through the keeper's legs in the 19th minute to give England the lead, after a smart turn and driving run from Sterling showed the crowd why a frontline containing the aforementioned players can be so deadly.

England continued to capitalise on this late first-half dominance, with Jadon Sancho forcing an own goal from Vojvoda after drilling a low cross across the 6-yard box. The defending was calamitous, but Sancho's movement was superb, his completion of the England front line makes it truly a threat to anyone in international football. In the last moments of the half, a Sterling and Sancho inspired blitzkrieg of the Kosovan defence resulting in Sancho's first two England goals. England looked imperious leading 5-1 after going a goal down so early.

Defensive woes and Kane's pain

The second half started with England expecting to continue as they were in the later stages of the first half, instead, it was more like the beginning, specifically with the England defence conceding again to Berisha in the 55th minute.

Moments later Maguire went into a challenge which was what can be called a dubious penalty at best. Berisha clearly wanted it to complete an ambitious hat trick, but Muriqi was defiant in taking the spot-kick, which he scored despite the England keeper getting his palms to it.

The same situation occurred for the home side moments later, with a gut-busting Ross Barkley run into the box resulting in an equally dubious penalty.

This led to Sancho asking, surely already knowing the answer, the Captain if he could take it to complete his own hat trick. Naturally, Kane, chasing as many records as possible denied his teammate with a friendly high five and proceeded to have his spot-kick saved by Muric who, it must be said, was well off his line when the kick was taken.

After this, the game simmered into end to end attacks with England mainly countering, Sterling had a shot deflected from Muric's body onto the post. The game was brought to a close by the referee, and will surely have left Gareth Southgate purring at the promise of his attacking prowess upfront, but at the same time, he must be slightly concerned at the defensive errors on show in his side.

Overall this was an unexpectedly fantastic game, England played with an impressive, flowing, attacking system and the front three of Sterling, Kane and Sancho which must be one of the best on the international stage. Although questions will prevail over the frailty of the defence it has to be recognised that this England side is something special, and shows excellent promise that will hopefully be built on before next summer.

MOTM: Raheem Sterling: 1 goal, 3 assists, ran the game absolutely superbly
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED