Tammy Abraham extends incredible scoring streak with brace on full England U21 debut

Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham maintained a blistering run of goal-scoring form on his full debut for the England U21s on Tuesday afternoon (11 October). The Young Lions had already secured top spot in and qualification from 2017 European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 9 with a narrow win in Kazakhstan last week, but did not rest on their laurels at Banks's Stadium as they inflicted a heavy 5-0 defeat on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After Reading midfielder John Swift opened the scoring with the sort of long-range piledriver that is quickly becoming his trademark, Abraham, a truly prolific marksman for Chelsea at youth level who has already netted 11 goals in 14 appearances during a productive loan spell with Championship outfit Bristol City, pounced to fire home a first-time rebound after Josh Onomah's powerful shot was parried by Kenan Piric.

England held a comfortable advantage at the break thanks to that spell of two goals in just four minutes and Onomah extended the lead soon after. Sunderland academy graduate Duncan Watmore then made it four before turning provider for the in-form Abraham, who split the Bosnian centre-backs, seizing on a through ball before completing his brace with a deft chip over the onrushing goalkeeper.

"I am over the moon to get the two goals," said Abraham, who could not complete a memorable hat-trick after being replaced by Leicester City winger Demarai Gray with 17 minutes remaining in Walsall. "Whatever team that is put out is fantastic, we have great togetherness and want to achieve the best."

England swapped nine players from Thursday's 1-0 win in Aktobe, but such widespread changes did not threaten to disrupt their attacking fluency. Caretaker manager Aidy Boothroyd, promoted from U20 duty for the duration of Gareth Southgate's interim stint with the senior team, was clearly delighted with the display.

"It was a really professional performance," he said. "The fact that we kept a clean sheet, the fact that the attitude and application was absolutely first class... Some of the football considering that there were nine changes, I thought was really excellent and really entertaining. I'm really pleased that we got what we deserved in terms of a 5-0 win."