World Cup Qualifiers: Gareth Southgate Hails Ollie Watkins "Fairytale" As England Rout San Marino

Gareth Southgate hailed Ollie Watkins' "fairytale" England debut after the Aston Villa striker scored in a 5-0 win against San Marino.

Gareth Southgate hailed Ollie Watkins' "fairytale" England debut after the Aston Villa striker scored in a 5-0 win against San Marino in Thursday's opening World Cup qualifier. Just four years ago, Watkins was playing in English football's fourth tier with Exeter. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise since then, joining Brentford in 2017 before moving to Villa last year after finishing as top scorer in the Championship. He has scored 12 times in his first campaign with the Premier League club, earning a maiden England call-up and a debut against minnows San Marino at Wembley. With England four goals up thanks to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's brace, a first international goal for James Ward-Prowse and Raheem Sterling's strike, Watkins came on after 63 minutes. Set up by Phil Foden's pass, Watkins scored with his first shot in an England shirt with a cool low finish.