Saka was unstoppable and recorded the first hat-trick of his career as Southgate’s side demolished North Macedonia 7-0 in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Speaking about the Arsenal star after the match, Southgate said: ‘All the credit is with him.
‘He works incredibly hard. He’s talented, he’s humble. He’s hugely popular with all of the players and all of the staff and I have to say his finishing has been like that all week.
‘We weren’t surprised by the first one, that’s how he’s been all week, we hadn’t seen the second one coming!
‘I am delighted for him. He’s had a slightly sore Achilles and it’s another one where it would have been easy to lull out on the camp and miss out on a night like this that I’m sure will live with him forever.’
Southgate, speaking more generally about England’s 7-0 win, added: ‘I think everything depends on the opposition and what status our players are in.
‘Those three [Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka] have had exceptional seasons with their clubs and we felt tonight it would be more transitional, there would be more space and the speed of Bukayo and Marcus would be decisive.
‘But we have different options with Phil [Foden] and Jack [Grealish] and others that aren’t here. You need that competition.
‘You’re not always going to have virtually everybody available, as we did this time. But it’s great to have those different options.’
MORE : ‘Top, top player!’ – Bukayo Saka hails Trent Alexander-Arnold
MORE : Steven Gerrard labels Man Utd star as England’s ‘most dangerous player’ in first-half of thumping 7-0 victory
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