James Tomkins was tremendous for England as they cruised to an impressive 4-0 victory away to UEFA European Under-21 Championship hosts Denmark.
The homegrown Hammer had to enter the fray as a fifth-minute substitute for rMicah Richards, who picked up a hamstring problem, and went on to forge a solid partnership with Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling. The Young Lions scored their first in the 23rd minute through Danny Welbeck and never looked back after the interval through Scott Sinclair (58), Daniel Sturridge (62) and Jordan Henderson (72).
Tomkins particularly came to the fore in the first half on Thursday, when the Danes threatened on a number of occasions only to find him in resolute form. He was also involved in the build-up to Welbeck's crucial opener with a long ball forward that put the home side under pressure. Similar passes out of defence from the West Ham man led to Sinclair and Sturridge's goals after the interval.
The 21-year-old will hope to figure again on Monday night when England welcome fellow finalists Iceland - boasting Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson - to Preston. Those two nations - along with Marek Stech's Czech Republic - will all hope to impress when the UEFA finals take place in 87 days' time at the end of the 2010/11 club season.