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England\u2019s impressive start to Euro 2020 qualification continued with a first ever win in Montenegro, but the 5-1 victory was overshadowed by racist chanting.<\/p>\nEngland\u2019s impressive start to Euro 2020 qualification continued with a first ever win in Montenegro, but the 5-1 victory was overshadowed by racist chanting.<\/p>\n
Just 72 hours after kicking off their European Championship journey by hitting five without reply against the Czech Republic, the Three Lions continued their Group A campaign in Podgorica at what has previously been an unhappy hunting ground.<\/p>\n
Marko Vesovic\u2019s early strike had the hosts dreaming, but Ross Barkley\u2019s brace along with Michael Keane, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling efforts sealed the three points at the Gradski Stadion.<\/p>\n
The latter made a gesture with his ears towards the Montenegro fans after scoring and there were monkey chants aimed at Danny Rose towards the end.<\/p>\n
It was a despicable end to a night that saw the Three Lions win back-to-back games by five goals or more for the first time since 1984 as Southgate\u2019s decision to turn to young talent paid off.<\/p>\n
Declan Rice looked comfortable enough on his first start and Callum Hudson-Odoi recovered from a nervy opening in impressive fashion on the night he became the second-youngest player to start a competitive match for his country.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old and then Keane were culpable of failing to clear the ball as Vesovic opened the scoring, but both recovered impressively.<\/p>\n
The latter rose to head home his first England goal from a free-kick sent in by Barkley, who turned home after a shot from Hudson-Odoi.<\/p>\n
Barkley slammed home a second and Kane turned in a cross on the break from Sterling, who gestured with his ears towards the home fans after latching onto an exquisite Jordan Henderson through ball.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi picked up an object thrown onto the field during the aftermath of that goal, while things boiled over late on and Rose was subjected to monkey chants.<\/p>\n
Reports of racism first emerged in the opening minutes of a match that saw initially cumbersome England punished in the 17th minute.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi\u2019s measly challenge allowed Zarko Tomasevic to get his head on a hopeful diagonal pass and Keane failed to mop up the loose ball. Vesovic lapped up possession and bundled past the bumbling England center-back to curl in.<\/p>\n
The home crowd erupted in disbelief as much as joy, but the Three Lions reacted with character that belied their inexperience and their set-piece prowess brought a 30th-minute leveler.<\/p>\n
Barkley sent an excellent right-footed free-kick to the far post, where Keane powered home a header in front of the hardy 690 travelling fans.<\/p>\n
Provider soon turned goalscorer as England stepped it up eight minutes after leveling.<\/p>\n
Kane played the ball to the left flank and Hudson-Odoi cut onto his right foot, darted past two defenders and sent in a bending shot that Barkley got the final touch on as Danijel Petkovic attempted to save.<\/p>\n
Stefan Mugosa and Fatos Beciraj had attempts either side of England\u2019s second goal, with Ljubisa Tumbakovic\u2019s side continuing to push for a goal when the second half got under way.<\/p>\n
Hudson-Odoi had now grown into proceedings and followed an exquisite cross-field ball with a pinpoint pass to the far post that Sterling could not quite get a telling touch on.<\/p>\n
The 18-year-old was looking lively after being switched to the left and cut inside with pace and skill before forcing Petkovic to a save low to his left.<\/p>\n
Beciraj turned just wide at the near post after a defensive mishap but that error was soon forgotten as England put the game to bed in the 59th minute.<\/p>\n
Persistence was key as Barkley won back the ball and passed to Kane, who fed Sterling and eventually dug out a cutback for the Chelsea midfielder to slam home.<\/p>\n
Henderson came on for his 50th cap in place of Dele Alli and soon England were celebrating a fourth. Sterling was sent scampering behind the Montenegro back line and he squared for Kane to direct into an empty net.<\/p>\n
That 71st-minute effort was followed by a fifth goal 10 minutes from time as Henderson threaded through to Sterling to direct home.<\/p>\n
His celebrations seemed pointed and Rose was subjected to monkey chants after a heavy late challenge.<\/p>\n