Divin Mubama scored his first two goals for England Under-21s but Ethan Nwaneri was the architect of their second successive win in a 4-0 win over Moldova that saw them top their European Championship qualifying group.
Arsenal attacking midfielder Nwaneri was given permission to roam in the number 10 spot and provided assists to the first two goals scored by Chelsea winger Jamie Gittens and Stoke striker Mubama in Chisinau.
He also hit a through ball that saw debutant Josh King win a 74th-minute penalty, which was converted by Mubama.
Nwaneri offloaded the ball in the 28th minute, taking two defenders and allowing Gittens to cut inside with his right foot to beat Victor Dordon at the near post with a shot that would have done better for the goalkeeper.
Everton winger Tyler Dibling started to have more influence when he won Nwaneri’s free-kick, but it was the Gunners player who continued to pull the strings and the pair combined early in the second half, with the latter beating two defenders and running off the pitch before he could cross or shoot.
Jobe Bellingham struck a left-footed shot before Birmingham goalkeeper James Beadle made his only intervention of note by punching an inward corner under his crossbar.
In the 68th minute, Nwaneri’s clever reverse pass picked out Mubama, who set the pace to beat the goalkeeper with one touch, but Dordon’s spot-kick was well placed, but Mubama could not reach.
Brooke Norton-Cuffy made a good save from the keeper and in the 89th minute Rico Lewis picked up the ball deep and attempted to backtrack, before forcing Dordon inside the left post from the edge of the area.
