Jarrad Branthwaite captained England Under-21s to a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland Under-21s at Goodison Park on Tuesday evening.

It was a dominant display by the Young Lions, whose victory extends their impressive record in this campaign’s UEFA EURO qualifying to four wins in five.

Tyler Morton opened the scoring for England, before Harvey Elliott converted a second-half free-kick to double the advantage. The Liverpool midfielder added a third through a chipped effort with 10 minutes remaining.

Everton’s Branthwaite had been described by in the lead up to the game as “calm and unflustered” by Young Lions Head Coach and former Blue Lee Carsley, and the England skipper certainly lived up to that, producing a comfortable, commanding, and authoritative 90 minutes for the home side.

Leading the team in front of more than 7,000 fans at Goodison Park, Branthwaite partnered Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah at the heart of the England defence, and it was a controlled start to the contest for the home side.

After just five minutes, captain Branthwaite nearly opened the scoring. Finding himself in the opposition penalty area from a well-worked England set piece, the young defender couldn’t quite direct his first-time effort on goal.

After the early chance, England returned to establishing a dominance in possession, and less than 10 minutes later, striker Jay Stansfield came close to converting from close range. His effort – created by an ambitious right-sided run by Noni Madueke – was deflected just wide of the post.

Just after the half-hour mark, England found a deserved opening goal. The visitors tried to clear the danger of a Madueke-led attack, but the clearance by Charlie Allen was short, and fell to Morton on the edge of the box. He chested the ball down, before firing a low shot across goal and into the bottom-right corner.

A goal-up, the Young Lions continued to dominate the half, entering the interval with a well-earned 1-0 scoreline, reducing Northern Ireland to 22 per cent possession without them registering an effort on James Trafford’s goal.

At ease all evening, Branthwaite was a standout for Carsley's youngsters, continuing to showcase the strong form recognised by Evertonians this season.

Not long after the restart, England doubled their advantage through an accurately-placed Elliott free-kick from distance.

The Liverpool midfielder was fouled a few yards from the penalty area, and he stepped up to take the set-piece, curling the ball around the wall and into the back of the net.

The two goalscorers linked up to put the game beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining. Morton's delicate through ball found Elliott, who precisely chipped over the onrushing Clarke for his second goal in the game, and England's third and final of the night.

Elsewhere today, Idrissa Gana Gueye played the full 90 minutes for Senegal as they played out a goalless draw against Togo in a World Cup qualifier in Lomé.

Meanwhile, Youssef Chermiti featured throughout for Portugal Under-20s, who fell to a 2-1 away defeat to Italy.