England got their U21 qualifying campaign back on track with a well deserved 3-1 success over top of the table Czech Republic thanks to a superb first half performance.

The Czechs came into this game as the team to beat in Group G with four wins from four and yet to concede a goal.

All that had changed within the first 11 minutes as England raced into a two goal lead, making it three on the half hour before the visitors gave themselves a glimmer of hope with a penalty on the stroke of half time.

Debutant Anthony Gordon opened the scoring after 4 minutes with a deflected effort and doubled his tally 7 minutes later as keeper Matej Kovar could only parry Conor Gallagher's shot.

England were sharper and quicker compared to their sloppy opponents and made it three on 30 minutes when Jan Knapik was caught in possession and Folarin Balogun was played through to slot home.

The hosts had other chances to score but the Czechs gained a foothold back in the game when Adam Karabec was tripped by Luke Thomas and the victim made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Balogun should have scored on the stroke of the break but fluffed his shot with the goal empty.

The second period began much like the first with England in the ascendancy and the Czechs on the backfoot. Gordon almost claimed his hat trick but Kovar saved well.

Even though England stopped creating chances they still looked comfortable and the game became a series of petty free kicks as the game lost its flow.

The Czechs rarely threatened even if they did have periods of pressure but lacking a cutting edge the Young Lions defence stood firm.

Full Time

Englans U21: 3 (Gordon 4, 11, Balogun 30)

Czech Republic U21: 1 (Karabec 40 pen)

Att: 6,507

Venue: Turf Moor, Burnley