Jadon Sancho enjoyed a memorable night as England beat Kosovo 5-3 at St Mary's - and a late night trip to Raheem Sterling's hotel room helped set him up for success.
Sancho scored his first two England goals with a quick-fire double before the break in the thrilling encounter in Southampton , with close friend and former Manchester City team-mate Sterling the provider on both occasions.
Sterling was at his breathtaking best with his link-up with exciting teenager Sancho the major positive on a night where England's defensive flaws were exposed.
After the game, Sterling talked up the Borussia Dortmund ace - and revealed how he asked him to set him up the night before the game in their team hotel.
"Jadon was in my room at 10.30 last night begging me to square one to him," Sterling said.
"He is a good lad. Not just reliant on ability but putting in the hard work.
“We are making good progress but there are definitely things we need to sharpen up – and on stop giving teams simple goals.”
For Sancho, it was a special evening as he dedicated his goals to his grandmother, who recently passed away.
“It was crazy," Sancho said.
"I'm delighted to score my first goal for England. The opener was a bad mistake from us but it was a great comeback.
"It means a lot to me personally, and for my family it is a special day. I dedicate the goals to my Nan who was a big fan of me but has sadly passed away."
Sterling, meanwhile, hailed his own display as "one of his best England performances" as he proved a constant threat and continued his fine start to the season.
The Manchester City star added: “I thought it was one of my best England performances.
“I didn’t like the look of my stats when I had that long drought, but from that night in Spain when I got two the goals have flowed from then.”
