Blizzard fails to stop England's storm

Norway U-21 0 England U-21 5

England's Under-21s hammered Norway in blizzard-like conditions to boost their preparations for this summer's European Championships in Sweden.

The Tottenham striker Fraizer Campbell opened the scoring with a right-foot shot before Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Johnson doubled the lead. Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone then drilled a third past the hapless Lasse Staw from 25 yards, and Matt Derbyshire grabbed a quick double to complete the rout.

Around 50 England fans had made the journey to see manager Stuart Pearce make seven changes to the side beaten by Ecuador last month but conditions were far from ideal as over a foot of snow fell in southern Norway prior to the match.

With the lines of play disappearing under the snow, Campbell, who missed three earlier chances, struck the opener for England. The Tottenham striker, on loan from Manchester United, won the ball well off a Norway defender and unleashed a shot from edge of the area which was fumbled by goalkeeper Staw before rolling into the net.

Staw, who once had a trial with Aston Villa, had no chance with the second, Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson doubling the lead with a low driven strike.

Pearce made four changes at the start of the second half and it was substitute Matt Derbyshire who scored with his first touch, only to see the goal ruled out. Instead it was Huddlestone who added the third goal when he smashed the ball past Staw.

And Derbyshire finally got himself on the score sheet with 13 minutes to go. The Blackburn striker, on loan at Greek side Olympiakos, then grabbed his second and England's fifth three minutes.

England U21: Hart, Gardner, Taylor, Muamba, Wheater, Onuoha, Cattermole, Huddlestone, Campbell, O'Hara, Johnson. Substitutes: Loach, Cranie, Gibbs, Mancienne, Derbyshire, Milner.