Marcus Rashford scored a hat-trick as England under-21s thrashed Norway under-21s 6-1 in their Euro 2017 qualifier in front of a crowd of nearly 8,500 at Colchester United FC tonight.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Nathaniel Chalobah and Lewis Baker also netted in the Young Lions' win, with substitute Ghayas Zahid grabbing the visitors' consolation as Gareth Southgate's side went two points clear in Group Nine.

Norway were neat and tidy in possession in the opening stages.

They almost took a 12th minute lead when England goalkeeper Angus Gunn, the son of former Norwich City and Scotland keeper Bryan, denied Mohamed Elyounoussi from close range and then pulled off another good save to deny the same player, seconds later.

It was a piece of goalkeeping that former Three Lions shot-stopper David James, who was watching from the stands, would have been proud of.

Five minutes later, Manchester City youngster Gunn pulled off another excellent stop to foil captain Iver Fossum in the six-yard box, as Norway threatened an opener.

And although Nathan Redmond nodded tamely wide at the far post for England, it was the visitors who looked more menacing in the opening quarter of the match.

Redmond lashed wide from 25 yards after Rashford had picked him out following Kortney Hause’s marauding run towards the Norway penalty area.

But just when England appeared to be running out of ideas, they took the lead just before the half hour.

Norway centre-back Sander Berge failed to cut out a through ball and predatory Rashford pounced on the ball and clinically slotted past keeper Sondre Rossbach, to give England the lead.

And it was 2-0 eight minutes later when Chelsea’s Chalobah converted skipper James Ward-Prowse’s deep free-kick from close range.

Alexander Sorloth headed a corner wide at the near post but England went in at the break two goals to the good.

Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard tested keeper Gunn early in the second half before Kortney Hause headed in from a corner, only for it to be ruled out as Ward-Prowse’s flag kick had been adjudged to have gone out of play.

Rashford almost grabbed a second goal for himself in the 56th minute, after latching onto Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s pass and showing impressive footwork in the area before being denied by Rossbach.

But Loftus-Cheek made it 3-0 just after the hour with a fine low shot from the edge of the area, following a good England move.

Rashford quickly made it 4-0 with a delightful lofted shot that flew over Rossbach and although substitute Zahid pulled a goal back for Norway when he converted Kristoffer Haraldseid’s cross, Rashford completed his hat-trick from the spot after a Norway defender had handled in the area.

Redmond struck a post before Lewis Baker wrapped up England’s win with four minutes remaining when he slotted home from a corner.