The word that head coach Lee Carsley repeated over and over heading into this game was ‘ruthless’ and he got that from England’s Under 21s in a second-half stroll in Albania.
All three of the Young Lions’ goals came after the break and it was their high press – that trademark of all top teams in the modern game – which eventually cut open their opponents in this qualifier for next year’s European Championships.
Folarin Balogun, the Arsenal striker on loan at Middlesbrough, helped himself to two goals while Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones got the other after winning the ball in front of the Albania box.