Danny Ings described his two-goal salvo for England at Turf Moor as one of the best nights of his career.

The Clarets striker starred on his home turf, grabbing a goal in each half against Portugal to take his tally for the Three Lions to four in six appearances.

Ings said: “I knew tonight was going to be special playing in front of the town.

“There was a great turn out, so I thank them for turning out tonight and it was just fantastic.

"It was great playing in front of them and I think I heard my name from start to finish.

“It was great that they came down and to get two goals caps off a really fantastic night and tonight was definitely up there.

“These are the moments I want in my career, step by step and nights like this.

“It really shows what hard work can do because previously I’ve had bad injuries and it was a really low time in my life. But the last few years has been fantastic and I want to carry that on.

“I am just so grateful because it was a really, really good night all round, for me and the team.”

Ings struck after just six minutes, sweeping home Tom Ince’s wicked delivery from the right.

And after Carl Jenkinson had doubled the lead, only to see Bernardo Silva halve the deficit, the Turf Moor talisman sealed the win by bundling home the third midway through the second half.

England U21 Head Coach Gareth Southgate said: “Danny’s first touch of the ball was a fantastic dribble through the middle and I thought he might score from that.

“But you could see he was in-form. There was a good build up play to the goals and in the final third tonight I felt our play was very good.

“We’ve got pace and people that can finish crosses, so it’s difficult for team to stop us.”