England 5 Netherlands 1: Beth Mead scores twice as Lionesses send warning to Euros rivals

BETH MEAD put on a clinical display as the Lionesses demolished the Netherlands 5-1 at Elland Road.

The forward's brace and a Lauren Hemp volley were among the highlights of a dream night for Sarina Wiegman’s aces - and a miserable one for the Euros 2017 champions.

The game saw Mead take her England goal tally to 14 this term.

Of her efforts, the forward told ITV Sport: "I am enjoying my football right now, that is showing on the pitch - just glad I can help the team today.

"We didn't play great in the first half. We were sleepy and sloppy on the ball, but we reacted really well to the penalty.

"It is tougher opposition, Netherlands haven't won a Euros and got to a World Cup final for no reason, so it shows the quality.

"These games are for learning but winning and playing well is the confidence we need heading into the Euros."

It was a case of the future is bright, the future is orange in a dramatic second half as England dazzled in a new away kit reminiscent of the Netherlands' famous 1970s strip.

And they punished the reigning Euros champs after an evenly matched first half.

The result led Netherlands boss Mark Parsons to describe the hosts as Euros favourites.

But Wiegman insists they are many contenders for the contest's crown this year.

The England boss said: “I think there are many favourites for this tournament and we are one of them.

“Whether we would lose or win now, we’re not going to sit on a pink cloud, we stay grounded.

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“We want to improve what we do well and take the next step in our style of play.

“I think we’re in a good place but we still need to improve.

"I thought it was a very good match, we had a hard time in the first half. The Netherlands did very well.

“It was for us a good learning moment that we went behind. We haven’t conceded a goal first since I came in.

"It gives confidence because we know we have lots of depth in our team, lots of quality and we have a thought choice for the first XI."

The encounter was evenly balanced early on with Hemp close to punishing a dodgy clearance by Sari van Veenendaal in the 15^th minute, with the ball rolling wide of the post.

This came moments before Lineth Beerensteyn forced a quality save from Mary Earps with her feet moments after Lucy Bronze blocked the forward’s shot on goal.

The 19^th minute saw Earps take a boot to the stomach after bravely attempting to deny another shooting chance to Beerensteyn.

And minutes later the hosts went 1-0 down with Lieke Martens heading from a corner kick beating Keira Walsh in the air.

The game stayed 1-0 until the 32^nd minute before Bronze levelled proceedings with her cross dipping into the corner of the goal beyond Van Veenendaal.

And Beerensteyn picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on skipper Leah Williamson around the 45th minute.

The second half saw Beth Mead come on for Chloe Kelly with the hosts conceding a penalty a little later, after a VAR check on Alex Greenwood’s foul on Danielle van de Donk.

But the visitors missed the chance to go 2-1 up as Sherida Spitse’s spot-kick hit the post on her 200^th appearance for her national side.

England took the lead with Mead slotting home after Hemp’s cross.

And Ella Toone made it 3-1 in the 71^st with Van Veenendaal unable to claim her curled shot.

Lauren Hemp fired in England’s fourth with a classy volley moments later.

And Beth Mead wrapped up the victory with the forward sealing her brace in the 90^th minute.