England picked up a resounding 3-0 victory over Albania which all but secured their qualification for the European Under-21 Championships next summer. A brace from Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun and one from Cameron Archer sealed a comfortable win at Chesterfield.

Lee Carsley’s side need just one point from their last two matches to mathematically secure their place in Georgia and Romania, but three points here have effectively ensured their safe passage with a second success consecutive 3-0 against Albania.

Hull City’s Keane Lewis-Potter had to be patient for his first Three Lions appearance on English soil, coming off the bench in the final 10 minutes to claim his second cap. By then, England’s quality had already seen them pull away from brave opponents, and three goals from close range was the least they deserved for a dominant and elegant display.

READ MORE: England boss Lee Carsley drops Keane Lewis-Potter hint

It took the best part of 45 minutes for England to finally seize one of their 13 chances in the first half, and it came from a defensive error that saw Emile Smith Rowe grab possession inside the box before rolling for Arsenal team-mate Folarin Balogun in power. from close.

By then England had enjoyed 75% of the ball and started with the front foot. Albania’s intention was clear within a minute with each player camped in their own half behind the ball. Anthony Gordon was the first to close, shooting wide before Smith Rowe narrowly missed the opener and Thomas Doyle desperately trying to get on the scoresheet but seemingly drifting further and further away from goal with each passing effort.

Liverpool’s Curtis Jones, clearly desperate to impress, was trying almost too hard to get the attention of Three Lions boss Lee Carsley and it was Smith Rowe again who caught the eye, drifting from flank to flank at the heart of everything the hosts have done. go forward. After a quick start from Carsley’s men, the game started to drift, but Smith Rowe’s quick thinking allowed him to capitalize on poor defending to give Balogun the easier finish.

To their credit, and backed by vocal away support, Albania nearly shocked the hosts when Adolf Selmani headed close on the break, a sweet reminder that they were still in a competition from which they should have come out well.

England’s first game change came on the hour mark when the excellent Smith Rowe was replaced by Morgan Gibbs-White, to a warm welcome from the Sheffield United fans in attendance.

Keane Lewis-Potter has again been left on the bench by boss Lee Carsley as his wait for a first Under-21 start continues, but with qualification all but assured he will hope to be rewarded for his patience on Monday night when the group concludes against Slovenia in Huddersfield.

The game was effectively put to bed with 25 minutes left when Balogun scored his second of the night, after Gibbs-White hooked a cross to the back post to Charlie Cresswell heading for the goalkeeper and the youngster Arsenal was there to nod from a court outside.

A minute later, Balogun picked up a card to go with his double from referee Ivar Orri Kristjansson for an altercation with the somewhat flamboyant Adolf Selmani, a player who relished the physical side of the game all evening. Jimmy Garner and Cameron Archer were next for England with 18 minutes to go, replacing Balogun and Liverpool ace Curtis Jones.

It was 3-0 with an elbow in over 10 minutes when the brilliant Gordon pounced down the left before firing a cross for Archer to turn him at the near post. Gordon had been so good that the frustrated Dobra hacked him outside the box again and picked up a deserved second yellow card, and he went for an early swim.

Lewis-Potter came on as a replacement for Gordon, while there was also an appearance for Leicester City’s Luke Thomas, and the Tigers man was straight into the action, looking to shape a chance from the edge of the box before to be locked away from danger.

The local City ace almost created another opening to be brought down at the edge of the box, and from the advantage played by the referee at the time, Garner was unable to take advantage.

It was a job well done by England and with Kosovo coming on Friday night before Slovenia visit next week, planning can begin for their tenth consecutive finals campaign.

England starting XI: Bursik, Harwood-Bellis, Balogun, Smith-Rowe, Gordon, Spence, Cresswell, Johnson, Jones, Doyle, Gomes. Subs: Trafford, Aarons, Thomas, Hill, Garner, Gibbs-White, Ramsey, Archer, Lewis-Potter

Attendance: 4,422