England showed just why they are a force to be reckoned with in a dominant 5-0 win over Estonia to set the Lionesses up nicely for Tuesday's match.
Lighting start
England were immediately on the front foot pushing forward again and again, looking to get a quick start. The first chance came down to the captain Steph Houghton just a couple of minutes in but her header went wide. Nikita Parris was next to try and her effort went wide too.
Danielle Carter got the first goal for the Lionesses, she was left enough room to turn and she scored. Carter netted in the previous fixture against Estonia, in which the Lionesses won 8-0.
It was only a few minutes before the lead was doubled. Parris, who just couldn't quite seem to score, saw her effort hit the bar and Jill Scott popped up with a header. Scott paid tribute to Zoe Tynan and Sylvia Gore by kissing her black armband as part of the celebrations.
Yet again, a few minutes later, Danielle Carter scored her second after a nice pass from Parris, which Carter tapped in. After this, Estonia sat back to try and limit the amount of goals. Gemma Davison managed to tear up the defence down the wing but Estonia held on to head into half time only 3-0 down.
Carter completes her hat-trick
England could have easily just sat back in the second half as the win was pretty much assured. They didn't however as just a minute in, Karen Carney drilled in a corner which was headed on by Steph Houghton. Parris missed yet another chance. Carter put a nice through ball through and Parris missed by the smallest of margins. She performed great in this match but will be unhappy that she didn't finish any of her chances.
Danielle Carter got her second hat trick in two appearances for England, both matches against Estonia. Getter Laar saved a free kick but she pushed it out straight to Carter and she capitalised on that chance.
Jill Scott was substituted off in the 61st minute, presumably in order to save her for the Belgium match on Tuesday. Jade Moore came on which meant both her and Jo Potter played at a familiar ground as they became Notts County players in the summer transfer window.
Estonia did well to contain England in this second half with a few notable chances. Two of them were down to Karen Carney. She'd been playing well in this game and looked to get a goal herself. Laar spilled the first chance but collected, the second looked to be dipping it but it didn't dip in time. Carter almost set up another goal with a lovely chip to Jordan Nobbs but the goalkeeper was equal to it.
Carter was hungry for more and she almost scored an impressive volley late on but it wasn't to be. England did get one more goal in the closing moments of the match when Carney got pushed in the box; she stepped up to the spot and calmly converted it.
The 5-0 win means that England will only have to avoid defeat to Belgium in order to top the group. The Lionesses won't settle for that however and will look to show their dominance against Belgium after the previous 1-1 draw.