ENGLAND’S under-21s cruised to victory at Vitality Stadium with a comfortable 3-0 win over Latvia.

Goals from rumoured Cherries target Demarai Gray, striker Tammy Abraham and Kasey Palmer ensured Aidy Boothroyd’s side recorded their first win of the 2019 European qualifying campaign, having drawn their group opener with Holland on Friday.

Operating in the heart of the England midfield, Cherries ace Lewis Cook played 90 minutes for the Young Lions.

The 20-year-old played his part from the outset as England showed their threat in the opening two minutes.

Cook found Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo, who skipped away from his man down the right but saw his cross gathered.

Leicester winger Gray, who was constantly linked with Cherries throughout the summer, then forced the first save of the contest on 11 minutes.

He struck at goal after Abraham had burst down the right channel and pulled the ball back to him on the edge of the box.

With Cherries boss Eddie Howe watching on, Gray then showed his class just two minutes later as he put England ahead with a sublime effort.

The Leicester youngster cut in on his right foot and steered the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 on 13 minutes.

Ojo then tried to match Gray’s strike from the opposite angle, but his curling attempt flew just wide of the post.

Liverpool man Ojo then required treatment to an ankle problem as he slipped in a collision with Latvian skipper Antonijs Cernomordijs, but was deemed fit to continue.

And England then doubled their lead on 35 minutes through striker Abraham. The Swansea frontman, on loan from Chelsea, picked up a loose ball and drove to the edge of the area.

His low strike was not dealt with by keeper Vladislavs Kurakins, who could only watch the ball trickle into the net when he should have done better. Spurs full-back Kyle Walker-Peters was penalised and booked for a foul six minutes into the second half, giving Latvia their first opportunity in an attacking area.

The delivery drilled in at the near post came off Raivis Andris Jurkovskis but he could only find the side netting.

England continued to push forward following that brief scare however. Abraham attempted an audacious overhead kick but shanked the ball wide.

The hosts then wrapped the contest up on 70 minutes with a goal to make it 3-0.

Tom Davies’s cross was spilled by keeper Kurakins, allowing Huddersfield man Palmer, who is also on loan from Chelsea, the chance to convert from close range.

England under-21s: Woodman, Alexander-Arnold, Cook, Gomez, Davies, Abraham (Calvert-Lewin, 68), Walker-Peters, Gray, Palmer (Solankie, 71), Tomori, Ojo (Lookman, 59). Unused subs: Henderson, Chilwell, Maitland-Niles, Worrall