England Under-21s have strengthened their bid to qualify for the 2019 European Under-21 Championship with a 2-0 victory over Ukraine Under-21s.

Aidy Boothroyd's side had recorded 10 points from their opening four games in Group 4, and an early strike from Dominic Solanke and an own goal from Pavlo Lukyanchuk has ensured that the Three Lions are now seven points clear at the top of the standings.

Ukraine went into the game having only been able to defeat minnows Andorra in three group games, and the gulf in class was soon clear as England went ahead after just 16 minutes.

After receiving the ball from Kieran Dowell, Solanke took it upon himself to find the corner with a well-struck effort from 16 yards for his second goal of the campaign.

Manchester City youngster Oleksandr Zinchenko carried Ukraine's biggest threat but after failing to net with a couple of shots on goal, England eventually doubled their advantage.

After a cross from Demarai Gray was delivered into the box, Lukyanchuk could do nothing but put the ball into his own net to effectively condemn his side to a first defeat in the group.

England do not return to competitive action until March, leaving Gareth Southgate in a position where he will promote a number of players into the senior squad for the encounter with Brazil on Tuesday.