Montenegro 0-3 England

2009 UEFA European Championship Group 3 Qualifier 
Friday 7 September 2007
City Stadium, Podgorica

England Under-21s began their 2009 UEFA European Championship Qualification campaign with a well-earned 3-0 win away in Montenegro on Friday night.

Stuart Pearce's men were the first ever opponents in a competitive home match for the Montenegrins since independence from Serbia, but made it a disappointing night for them and the crowd in Podgorica.

Nedum Onuoha and Gabriel Agbonlahor fired two early goals, before debutant Andrew Surman wrapped up the three points in the last minute.

It was also a night to remember for James Milner. The Newcastle United winger became England's record appearance holder at Under-21s level, overtaking Scott Carson's short-lived record, earning his 30th cap.

And Milner was involved in the opening goal with just six minutes played. He and Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor worked a short corner and Milner swung in cross which was met at back post by fellow Magpie and new Under-21 captain Steven Taylor. Onuoha was on hand to provide the finishing header from close-range and register his first Under-21s goal.

England continued to press with pace down the wings, Theo Walcott and Milner causing problems, while in the middle Gabriel Agbonlahor was again looking lively. When Montenegro gave the ball away cheaply in midfield, Walcott interception won possession back for England before he fed a slide rule pass into Agbonlahor.

The Villa forward showed great composure, tearing away before applying the finish past Ivan Janjusevic to double the advantage.

More chances came for the Three Lions, but when they should have sealed the win, they failed to find the target.

And it could have been made difficult for England as the home side came out looking re-invigorated after the break and went in search of a goal themselves. But a workman-like display from England weathered the storm, and in the closing stages they took control once more.

Pearce introduced Southampton midfielder Surman to proceedings in the second half, and after seeing him score for the Saints a fortnight ago, Surman struck again to ease England home.

Milner picked up a long throw from Joe Hart and broke down the right, he crossed to another of the night's debut boys, Dexter Blackstock, and he headed into the path of Surman to tuck home.

England now head to Bulgaria for their second Group 3 Qualifier on Tuesday night. Elsewhere in the group on Friday, Portugal won 2-0 over Republic of Ireland in Cork.

Montenegro
1 Ivan Janjusevic, 2 Drasko Bozovic (9 Bogdan Milic, 46), 3 Blazo Igumanovic (22 Luka Tiodorovic, 46), 5 Blazo Rajovic, 7 Simon Vukcevic (c), 8 Stevan Jovetic, 10 Marko Cetkovic (Milan Djurisic, 78), 17 Elsad Zverotic, 19 Miroslav Kaludjerovic, 20 Ivan Fatic, 21 Slaven Stjepanovic
Subs not used: 12 Bojan Radanovic, 13 Nikola Vujadinovic, 14 Zijad Adrovic, 18 Goran Vujovic

Booked Jovetic

England
1 Joe Hart, 2 Martin Cranie, 3 Andrew Taylor, 4 Mark Noble, 5 Steven Taylor (c), 6 Nedum Onouha, 7 James Milner, 8 Craig Gardner (14 Andrew Surman 80),  9 Matt Derbyshire (Dexter Blackstock, 90), 10 Gabriel Agbonlahor, 11 Theo Walcott (15 Fabrice Muamba,  63)
Subs not used: 12 David Wheater, 13 Ben Alnwick, 16 Adam Johnson, 17 Luke Moore

Goals: Nedum Onuoha 6, Gabriel Agbonlahor 10, Andrew Surman 90

Booked Noble, Hart