England U21s 9-1 Serbia U21s: Noni Madueke, Harvey Elliott and Jaden Philogene all score twice as Lee Carsley’s men come from behind to seal emphatic win at the City Ground

• England Under-21s fell behind in the first half but quickly bounced back
• Noni Madueke and Jaden Philogene both scored twice for the hosts
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

Even when administering a hiding, Lee Carsley will think his new-look Under 21s learned lessons. This one was that knowing they are superior is just not enough.

Noni Madueke, Jaden Philogene and Harvey Elliott all grabbed themselves braces on a rousing night for the European champions that sent showcased just how good this squad might be.

Yet before all that, England had attempted to walk it in for half an hour, to score a perfect goal, trying to embarrass opponents in moments that might make eye-catching social media videos but weren’t impacting this Euro qualifier.

Then Serbia ran up the other end for the first time, Vladimir Lucic flashing across James Trafford – the visitors provocatively celebrating wildly right in front of the home bench – and the real game started.

That was in the 27th minute and England began playing properly, 3-1 up by half-time. Philogene hammered in the equaliser on debut before another Hull City loanee, Liam Delap, thumped a second.

Noni Madueke celebrates after scoring a second half brace in an emphatic win for England

Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott also scored in both halves for Lee Carsley’s men at the City Ground

Jaden Philogene (right) bagged a brace, while Liam Delap (left) also got on the scoresheet

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A good evening for Hull, their coach Liam Rosenior entrusted with developing some of the country’s best talent.

Better for Carsley, who should be enthused at how his youngsters got their act together after the opener. The European trophy presented to the crowd at the City Ground beforehand means nothing now and he has to mould a largely fresh batch of players to go and emulate that success.

The signs are good. England are all comfortable in possession, possess explosive attackers and, in Delap, have a focal point the likes of Elliott can play off.

Elliott, operating in a freer role, darted into the box and smashed into the top corner before Madueke made sure he wouldn’t be upstaged.

The Young Lions ended up with nine and Madueke’s two tidy finishes indicated that his end product is beginning to become more refined.

Jonathan Rowe (pictured) scored a late goal as England ran riot in the second half

Cole Palmer captained England but was forced off with a leg injury that will worry Chelsea

Madueke may have more chance to shine for Chelsea soon after team-mate Cole Palmer was forced off with a leg injury that will concern Mauricio Pochettino.

Palmer’s right leg was heavily strapped and the chances of inclusion for Monday’s qualifier against Ukraine appear remote.

Philogene was not done, combining with Delap again to tap in, while Elliott rattled the bar before a comical own goal by Luka Subotic, deflecting over his goalkeeper. There was time for Norwich’s Jonathan Rowe, off the bench, to head a debut goal too as Serbia went to pieces.

And even more for Elliott, who pounced on a loose pass 25 yards from goal to slide past a helpless Veljko Ilic. The locals asked for 10 but they had to make do.

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