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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
James Whaling

Gareth Southgate reveals secret behind Raheem Sterling's form in front of goal

Gareth Southgate believes Raheem Sterling's incredible run of form in front of goal is down to the England winger not overthinking his finishing.

Sterling scored his first international hat-trick as the Three Lions thumped the Czech Republic 5-0 in a Euro 2020 qualifier at Wembley.

He broke the deadlock after latching on to Jadon Sancho's cross before winning a penalty for Harry Kane to double England's advantage from the spot before the break.

Sterling made it 3-0 in the second half, swivelling to curl into the corner left-footed, before his deflected effort from outside the box completed the treble.

An own goal completed the rout for England with Southgate's men continuing the feel-good factor surrounding the national team.

Southgate congratulates Sterling (Kieran McManus/BPI/REX)
England 5-0 Czech Republic: John Cross reacts as Raheem Sterling hat-trick bags emphatic win

Raheem Sterling pays tribute to late Crystal Palace youth player after England goal

Sterling has 19 goals for Manchester City in all competitions this term and need just four to match his tally from last season - his most prolific as a professional.

He had never scored more than 11 goals in a club season before 2017-18 and took his international tally from four to seven here.

Sterling's hat-trick means he has more England goals in 2019 than he has ever managed in a calendar year after just one game, and Southgate was full of praise for the former Liverpool flier.

"I thought he was electric all night,” said the England manager.

Sterling collects the match ball after his hat-trick (Getty Images)

"He's been like that all week in training. He was involved in four of the goals and it was a great night for him. "He's really matured as a person and as a footballer and he's hungry for those goals now.

"He's determined to get in the right areas of the pitch and the quality of his finishing, he's just hitting things instinctively without thinking too much.

"We've got exciting wide players, we've got the young boys [Jadon Sancho and Callum Hudson-Odoi], Marcus Rashford can play there as well and we've got others in attacking areas too.”

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