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The England Lionesses seem to have continued where their World Cup campaign left off after netting eight without reply against Estonia in their opening Euro 2017 qualifier.
It was an outstanding performance from the 3rd placed finishers of the World Cup, which included a debut hattrick for Arsenal forward Danielle Carter, in addition to Chelsea striker Fran Kirby’s brace, Jill Scott’s effort and Isobel Christiansen’s impressive long range strike.
Head coach Mark Sampson opted for a relatively new look England squad, with both Lucy Bronze and Toni Duggan out injured among multiple players rested for the fixture against the 77th ranked side in the world as only eleven of the World Cup competing Lionesses made the trip to Estonia.
Captain Steph Houghton and Jo Potter were the only two that beat Germany in the third place play-off in Canada that started the game, but along with debutant’s Carter and Christiansen they more than impressed.
Carter opened the scoring within the opening two minutes, beating six defenders before lashing home Jess Clarke’s cross. Notts County winger Clarke then had an effort herself, but it was easily saved by Estonia keeper Getter Laar. Jo Potter doubled the Lionesses lead as half time approached after some good work from Kirby, who’s assist allowed the Birmingham midfielder to score her third England goal.
And as half time drew closer, the Lionesses added a third when Gemma Davison’s through ball for Chelsea team-mate Kirby who slotted home, before Estonia failed to pull one back after Kaire Palmaru fired wide.
Scott’s side-footed effort made it four to the visitors early in the second half following another assist from Davison, before Christiansen’s impressive half-volley from 25 yards out made it five just moments after Kirby saw her effort ruled out for offside.
Undeterred by her disallowed goal, Kirby found her second, and England’s sixth, as the former Reading forward capitalised on Carter’s initial parried effort, before Carter completed her brace, firing home from substitute Ellen White’s cross with seven minutes remaining.
The Arsenal forward then completed a memorable debut firing home her third and England’s eighth with a sweetly struck effort from 18 yards.
England’s next fixture is a friendly against their third placed play-off opponents Germany on 26 November, three days before the Lionesses next qualifier when Bosnia-Herzegovina are the visitors to Ashton Gate.
