England U21 thrashed Azerbaijan 7-0 in a friendly match in Milton Keynes as boss Stuart Pearce experimented with squad players ahead of next week's European Championship in Sweden.

More Stories

• Matchcast: England U21 v Azerbaijan U21

Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs showed great versatility on his full debut, scoring twice as he impressed in his regular left-back position, on the left wing and in central midfield.

Michael Mancienne, Craig Gardner and Jack Rodwell also hit the target, with own-goals from keeper Elchin Sadiqov and Nodar Mammadov completing the rout.

With several injuries depriving England of first-choice and squad players, substitute keeper Joe Lewis was brought on as an outfield player once all other options were used up.

The match ended with the Peterborough shot-stopper playing up front, centre-half Rodwell in right midfield and Gibbs playing a free role behind 'striker' Lewis.

Mancienne opened the scoring in the first minute with a low finish after Gardner's header rebounded off the bar following an Adam Johnson corner.

The lead was doubled 35 minutes later when Gardner's shot rebounded off the post and in off the back of hapless keeper Sadiqov.

The Aston Villa midfielder - playing on the right - got a goal to add to his two assists when, just after the half hour, he latched on to Mancienne's long pass, beat the offside trap and fired past Sadiqov.

The visiting side had two good chances to score but Rauf Aliyev's cheeky lob was tipped away by Joe Hart and defender Emin Jafarguliev put wide from close range after England failed to clear a corner.

There was more of the same in the second half and England were able to more than double their tally despite three excellent reflex saves from Sadiqov to deny Fraizer Campbell, Rodwell and Lee Cattermole.

Campbell was impressive leading the line alone but was unable to find a goal that would have given him four in four consecutive U21 games, hitting the bar with a bullet header.

Mammadov made it five for England when he hacked Cattermole's shot past his own keeper.

Gibbs got his first with a cool finish after good work down the right by sub Danny Rose.

The young Gunner sealed his man-of-the-match performance by bundling in at the far post after more good wing-play by Rose, and Rodwell completed the spanking when he cut inside from the right in injury time.

England are in Group B of the European Championship, drawn with Spain, Germany and Finland. They open the tournament with a June 15 clash against the Germans in Gothenburg.