Man of the Match Morrison inspires England Under 21s
- by Staff Writer
- Tuesday, 15th October 2013
West Ham United's Ravel Morrison was in scintillating form as he led England's Under 21s to victory against Lithuania at Portman Road tonight.
The 20-year-old midfielder scored two, drew the foul that led to a third and took the Man of the Match award as he tormented his opponents with a five-star show that enthralled the healthy 17,067 crowd.Morrison - who is currently West Ham's leading scorer with four goals to his name - notched his first of the evening with just two minutes on the clock. A low centre by Manchester United's Wilfried Zaha found it's way to a prowling Morrison, who turned it over the line, albiet somewhat fortuitously.
The young Hammer also had a major influence on England's second, a stunning free kick by Southampton teenager James Ward-Prowse midway through the first half. Morrison's clever footwork attracted four defenders towards him before he drew the foul that Ward-Prowse went on to convert with such aplomb.
However it was his second goal - deja vu for poor Tottenham fans - that will no doubt have YouTube enthusiasts rapidly editing their highlight compliations. Just as he did at White Hart Lane recently, Morrison skipped through a rapidly-retreating defence before wrong-footing the Lithuanian goalkeeper and passing the ball into an empty net.
He may have been compared to Paul Gascoigne in recent weeks, but the sheer impudence of the goal (see below) had George Best written all over it.
Morrison might have been celebrating a hat-trick when England were awarded a penalty with the game at 4-0, but West Brom's Berundi-born Saido Berahino stepped up to score his second of the night instead.
By way of consolation, the young Hammer had to settle for being named Man of the Match - a decision that was warmly greeted by an appreciative crowd.
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