Ince gets two in England rout

Tom Ince bagged a brace as England Under-21s opened their preparations for this summer's European Championship finals with a dominant 4-0 friendly victory over Sweden.The highly-regarded Blackpool forward registered his first goals at under-21 level either side of setting up Jonjo Shelvey's tap-in as the Young Lions took complete control before half-time at a wet Banks's Stadium in Walsall.Substitute Connor Wickham headed a fourth after the break in what was a disjointed second period following a raft of substitutions.Man of the match Ince may steal the headlines but Shelvey and captain Jordan Henderson, both replaced at half-time, as well as right-back Adam Smith caught the eye during an impressive all-round display against an inexperienced Sweden side.A seventh successive win - each without conceding a single goal following a superb 2012 - is an ideal way to start the calendar year for coach Stuart Pearce, who will be gunning for success at June's Euro 2013 finals in Israel, with talks over his own future put on hold until after the tournament.Wickham was denied a fifth by Stromberg but England still ran out easy winners in front of a healthy sell-out crowd of 9,758.

Source: PA