Raheem Sterling matches Man City pal De Bruyne with hat-trick of first-half assists in England’s clash with Kosovo

RAHEEM STERLING followed in the footsteps of Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne as he made three first-half assists for England.

The 24-year-old scored the equaliser then created three more as the Three Lions ran riot against Kosovo in a 5-3 win.

England got off to a shaky start in the Euro 2020 qualifier when Michael Keane's blunder led to Kosovo taking the lead after just 34 seconds.

But with the help of Sterling, Gareth Southgate's bounced back and heading into half-time with a 5-1 lead.

Sterling scored a textbook header from six yards out after Keane nodded a corner into his path after a Ross Barkley corner.

After weaving his way out of trouble in the middle of the pitch, he then threaded the ball through to Kane for England's second.

Vojvoda's own goal made it 3-1 before Sterling created two goals for Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.

De Bruyne did the same as he assisted three goals for Belgium at Hampden in the win over Scotland on Monday.

After witness Sterling match De Bruyne, one fan said on Twitter: "Sterling scored a goal and had three assists in the first half. Same as De Bruyne yesterday. Guardiola who are you!!!"

Another said: "Yesterday it was De Bruyne, today it's been Raheem Sterling who's on fire. First 45 minutes: one goal and three assists."