Express & Star

England under-21s win as West Brom's Saido Berahino grabs a brace

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Saido Berahino was on the mark twice for England's Under-21s as they went top of their European Championship qualifying group.

moreThe Albion youngster curled in the third England goal in the 63rd minute as they ran riot against a weak Lithuania side at Ipswich.

He than added the fifth goal from the penalty spot in the 76th minute – his fourth goal in three appearances at this level.

West Ham's Ravel Morrison finished Wilfried Zaha's cross from close range inside just two minutes for the opener, with James Ward-Prowse getting the second direct from a 20-yard free-kick in the 27th minute.

Morrison's own second, from an individual run in 71 minutes, was sandwiched between Berahino's brace.

Gareth Southgate's side climbed above Finland, who lost 1-0 in Moldova, and Wales, who beat San Marino 4-0.

Level on 10 points with Wales, England have played two fewer games and are next in action when Finland come to Stadium MK on November.

In order to qualify for the 2015 tournament in the Czech Republic, England must top the group and then win a two-legged play-off.

After years in which his off-pitch activities made the headlines, man-of-the-match Morrison is beginning to show just why Sir Alex Ferguson rated him among the most talented teenagers he had seen at Manchester United.

Fresh from scoring an early goal of the season contender in West Ham's 3-0 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane, his second goal epitomised the former Old Trafford manager's opinion.

The midfield livewire won possession just inside the opposition's half and continued forward, bursting between two defenders and fooling the goalkeeper with a stepover to slot into the empty net.