Madueke shines as England U21s earn opening Euros win

The Chelsea winger starred as Lee Carsley's team got the victory they needed to ensure a perfect start to the tournament in Georgia.

England Under-21s made the perfect start to the European Championship as Jacob Ramsey's goal early in the second half proved to be the difference in their 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in their tournament opener.

Lee Carsley's side dominated possession from the off, and Chelsea winger Noni Madueke should have opened the scoring before half-time, the closest of his three efforts clipping the crossbar on its way over. The Young Lions were, though, indebted to goalkeeper James Trafford, as the Manchester City shot-stopper made two fine saves to deny Vasil Kusej before the break, while the Czech forward also fired wide when well placed.

England eventually took the lead two minutes after half-time, as Aston Villa youngster Ramsey broke from midfield, traded a one-two with Anthony Gordon and slotted a fine finish into the bottom corner. And though England had a couple of scares, the win was thoroughly well deserved given their dominance, though they had to wait until stoppage-time to seal it, as Cameron Archer squared for fellow substitute Emile Smith Rowe to tap into an empty net.

GOAL rates England's players from the Batumi Arena in Georgia..

Goalkeeper & Defence

James Trafford (7/10):

Made three fine saves and very comfortable when in possession as England built from the back.

James Garner (7/10):

Played out of position at right-back but you'd barely have known. Combined brilliantly with Madueke going forward.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis (6/10):

Dominant in the air but looked nervy when defending one-on-one.

Levi Colwill (7/10):

Full of confidence when called upon had little to do

Max Aarons (6/10):

Looked to get forward from left-back but most England attacks went down the opposite flank.

Midfield

Angel Gomes (7/10):

Dictated the tempo as he showed off his fine passing ability as England's deepest-lying midfielder.

Curtis Jones (6/10):

Struggled to have too much of an impact as half of the double pivot as most England moves went through Gomes instead.

Noni Madueke (8/10):

England's outstanding player in the first half and a constant thorn in the Czech defence down the right. Better finishing would have seen him end the game with a couple of goals.

Morgan Gibbs-White (6/10):

Looked to be incisive with his passing from the No.10 position, but not as much came off as he would have liked.

Jacob Ramsey (7/10):

Quiet in the first half but came to life immediately after the break as his thrusting run and finish broke the deadlock.

Attack

Anthony Gordon (6/10):

A more natural finisher might have grabbed a goal or two, but did some good things when drifting either wider or deeper, as illustrated by his neat assist for Ramsey's goal.

Subs & Manager

Oliver Skipp (6/10):

Kept England ticking over for the final 15 minutes.

Cameron Archer (6/10):

Showed good awareness to lay on Smith Rowe's goal.

Emile Smith Rowe (6/10):

Saw little of the ball before tapping in the goal that sealed victory in stoppage time.

Harvey Elliott (N/A):

Only introduced for the final two minutes.

Ben Johnson (N/A):

On for Aarons at the death.

Lee Carsley (7/10):

Put some square pegs in round holes to mixed success, but overall display and result were good. May need to tighten up midfield when facing better opposition.