Sampson hails goalscoring debutants after Estonia rout

Tuesday 22 Sep 2015
Mark Sampson led England to victory on their opening Euro 2017 qualifier

Mark Sampson congratulated his goalscoring debutants after they helped England record an emphatic 8-0 win over Estonia.

Arsenal striker Danielle Carter bagged a hat-trick and Manchester City midfielder Isobel Christiansen scored late on as the Lionesses began their Euro 2017 qualifying campaign with a resounding victory.

Sampson said: "I’m delighted for them.

Estonia 0-8 England

UEFA Women's Euro 2017
Group 7 qualifier
Monday 21 September
A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn

"Credit to both Izzy and Dan. Izzy has been playing very well for Manchester City and has showed real improvement over the last six months. She has showed a maturity to her game and an energy and we saw that.

"I thought in the first half she was a bit nervous, a little bit tense, but she managed her rhythm better in the second half and got a well deserved goal. It was a fantastic strike."

He continued: "And in terms of Dan; there’s not many people score a hat-trick on their England debut. She’ll be remembered for that for a long, long time.

"She’ll go down in the history books and I’m delighted for her because she has got strong values as a person.

Danielle Carter celebrates after scoring against Estonia

Carter celebrates her first goal against Estonia

"She’s a team player and when she crossed the white line she showed the qualities that we know she’s got."

Fran Kirby netted a brace and Jo Potter and Jill Scott completed the scoring at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn.

It was England’s first match since they won bronze at the World Cup in July and the victory sent them straight to the top of qualifying Group 7.

Their next Euro match is against Bosnia & Herzegovina at Bristol City FC on Sunday 29 November, with matches against Belgium and Serbia to come next year.

Sampson added: "We produced a good performance. We were balanced and controlled and we scored some good goals.

"We’re a big scalp now, coming back from the World Cup with a bronze medal so everyone wants to play against England and test themselves.

Watch the goals from the win in Tallinn

"It was important we maintained our standards.

"It's always hard after a tournament to move away from those hangovers and we brought in some new faces to bring in some enthusiasm.

"You have to focus on the short term and getting three points, which we did, but we want to make sure that come June 2017 we're still going to be competitive."

Tickets for the qualifier against Bosnia are on sale now priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is available at £10 and group booking discounts apply.

Tickets can be purchased via TheFA.com/tickets or by calling 01179 630 600.

By Glenn Lavery in Tallinn, Estonia