England manager Gareth Southgate admitted his side are one of the favourites to win Euro 2024 next summer, but insisted they are comfortable with high expectations after an impressive 3-1 victory over Italy at Wembley.

Two goals from Harry Kane and another from Marcus Rashford rubber stamped the Three Lions’ place in Germany next year, as Southgate’s side completed the double over the Azzurri in qualifying.

It was the first time England had beaten Italy in a competitive match at Wembley since 1977 and Southgate was impressed by the way his side have improved their performances against the bigger nations – something he knows will be vital at next year’s Euros.

“I am really pleased to win the game tonight, that’s the first thing,” he said. “We know that the games against the top nations are the ones that we want to make a step forward with.

“It is nice to get it done early, I think it is probably the toughest qualifying group with Ukraine, Italy and the results that North Macedonia have had.

“Pressure comes when expectation is different to reality. The reality is we are going to be one of the teams capable of winning [the Euros] but there are others, it is very strong.

“You only have to look through the top 10 European nations and on any given night one can beat another.

“We are comfortable with that. We talked about it from when we played in Naples, and we delivered that night, we have continued to do that through this calendar year.”

A draw would have been enough to secure qualification for England on Tuesday night, but it looked as if a difficult evening was in store after former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca put the visitors ahead after 15 minutes.

But England hit back through a penalty from captain Kane after the prodigious Jude Bellingham was brought down in the box by Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

The Real Madrid midfielder was involved again to release Rashford as England took the lead after the break as the 20-year-old put in yet another stunning performance for his country and Southgate revealed he has been a further breath of fresh air for an already exciting team.

“He [Bellingham] has been a catalyst,” added Southgate. “I just think the way he carries himself and the way he plays on the field show that. He has had that since he walked through the door.

“The power in his play, that gives us something when you are in tight situations and you can suddenly wriggle out of things.

“I think that belief, that willingness to engage with the crowd, they are rare traits in a player so young.”

Bellingham was deployed in a more advanced midfield role after success playing behind the striker for Real Madrid, and formed a frightening quartet with Rashford, Foden, and Kane throughout the evening at Wembley.

And Southgate hailed his forwards’ work on and off the ball, while also giving a nod to the experienced members of his young squad.

“We talked before the game about it and they should enjoy playing in this team because they go the extra yard for each other,” he said.

“I don’t think I have seen Marcus Rashford cover as much ground in a game, back defending on his byline, Phil Foden back defending on his byline doing a job for the team. That’s when you know you have got a good spirit and a good team.

“We have lots of good things going for us but we have to keep improving, keep pushing the players and them pushing each other.

“I love working with the players and the staff, they are brilliant to work with we are very lucky.

“Our senior players set a brilliant example to the young ones, they provide that spirit.

“That back five today, they have been through so much together and they provide us with such a brilliant platform.”