Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane set their clubs on course for wins on a busy afternoon for England players in the Premier League.
England captain Rooney scored the opener in Manchester United's 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford, and Under-21s hitman Kane put Tottenham Hotspur ahead in a 2-1 victory over hosts Swansea City.
Wayne Rooney is mobbed by his team-mates
Rooney, who has scored in six of his past seven games for club and country, was joined in the United team by Three Lions colleague Phil Jones, playing in his first game since October.
Ashley Young, Michael Carrick and England U20s striker James Wilson also started.
Liverpool's England contingent of Raheem Sterling, Glen Johnson, Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson created chances but endured a fruitless afternoon.
Rooney tweeted afterwards: "Great win today. Always great to score against Liverpool. @D_DeGea was incredible again."
Great win today. Always great to score against Liverpool. @D_DeGea was incredible again.
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) December 14, 2014
But the contrast from the Liverpool camp could not have been starker when Daniel Sturridge took to Twitter after the game.
The England hitman is rehabilitating from a thigh injury in Los Angeles and got up at 5.30am to watch his club side fall short.
He tweeted: "Absolutely gutted for everyone. Woke up and watched the game and it hurts. I'm optimistic though and I hope everyone else feels the same."
Sturridge then added: "Just know I'm working hard to ensure I'm back healthy. I miss everything about the game. I can wait to help us be successful."
Absolutely gutted for everyone. Woke up and watched the game and it hurts. I'm optimistic though and I hope everyone else feels the same.
— Daniel Sturridge (@D_Sturridge) December 14, 2014
Just know I'm working hard to ensure I'm back healthy. I miss everything about the game. I can't wait to help us be successful. #redordead
— Daniel Sturridge (@D_Sturridge) December 14, 2014
Kane, meanwhile, grabbed his 11th goal of a productive season for Spurs, flashing home a header after only four minutes at Liberty Stadium.
Wilfried Bony equalised for Swansea, who were without Kane's England U21s colleague and Spurs loanee Tom Carroll, but Christian Eriksen struck late for the Lilywhites.
Kane then came close to making it 3-1 and had a penalty appeal turned down, while Three Lions right-back Kyle Walker played 90 minutes on his Premier League comeback.
Kane, 21, said: “We wanted to come out of the blocks flying and it was great to put the ball into the back of the net and give us a good start.
"It's an important three points and hopefully we can build some momentum over Christmas now.”
