Local girls Nikita Parris, Jodie Taylor and Toni Duggan were all on target as England opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with an impressive 6-0 dismissal of Russia at Tranmere Rovers.
Liverpool-born Parris opened the scoring and Birkenhead sharp-shooter Taylor doubled the lead just two minutes later.
Jordan Nobbs added a third after the influential Fran Kirby saw a penalty saved by Tatyana Shcherbak.
Lucy Bronze made it 4-0 before half-time while Merseyside favourite Duggan hit a second-half brace to complete the scoring.
Mark Sampson’s side might have won by an even more comfortable scoreline but for a number of interventions by the Russia goalkeeper.
The visitors had Ksenia Tsybutovich sent off in the first half, but it mattered not. They had been outplayed with 11 players and were totally outclassed with just 10.
There were only two changes from the Euro 2017 semi-final defeat by Netherlands last month, with Parris and Duggan coming in for Fara Williams and Ellen White.
England dominated from the off. There was panache mixed with urgency and Russia were simply not able to keep up with their illustrious hosts.
After half-hearted claims for a penalty, when Kirby’s shot appeared to hit Anna Kozhnikova’s arm, Sampson’s charges took the lead.
The Lionesses worked the ball well down the left before Kirby found Parris inside the box, and the 23-year-old slotted home her fifth international goal to break the deadlock.
Kirby was at it again when she played in Taylor, who was presented with her Euro 2017 Golden Boot before kick-off, to make it 2-0 from close range just two minutes later.
