Ravel Morrison made his England Under-21 debut last night but it was Harry Kane who was to be the star as he scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory over San Marino in their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier last night.

The West Ham United youngster, who scored a memorable solo goal in the Hammers’ 3-0 victory over Kane’s Tottenham Hotspur teammates on Sunday, played the first 55 minutes before being replaced by Jesse Lingard.

Michael Keane got the visitors off to a flying start in the fifth minute when he netted his first England goal, swivelling and firing home after a Raheem Sterling effort had been blocked following a Tom Ince corner.

Gareth Southgate’s men then found it difficult to break down the hosts’ five-man defence but with them controlling possession and continuing to probe, it was almost inevitable that a second would arrive.

It finally arrived from the last kick of the opening period when Kane converted a penalty after Sterling had been brought down by Andrea Manzaroli, with the keeper rather harshly sent off as a result.

The pattern of the game continued after the break, with England remaining on the front foot, and Kane doubled his tally in the 64th minute when he netted at the second attempt after being put through on goal by club-mate Tom Carroll.

Kane now had a treble in his sights and he duly completed it two minutes from time when he slotted home from a tight angle after Nathan Redmond cut a cross back to the Spurs man.

England now return home to face Lithuania at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road ground next week, knowing that another win is likely to put them top of Group One.