'It is very special to be part of this amazing group of staff and players'

She may have just won the golden boot but Chloe Kelly was quick to shift the focus back on England’s ‘amazing group of staff and players’ after the Lionesses retained the Arnold Clark Cup.

Kelly became a national hero when she scored the winning goal in last summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO victory and the Manchester City winger – like the rest of the England squad – received a superb reception from the 26,169 supporters inside Ashton Gate in Bristol.

And Kelly gave them plenty to cheer about on Wednesday night as she scored the first and third goals as England secured the 6-1 victory to ensure they finished the Arnold Clark Cup with a 100 per cent record.

Kelly said: “It is a great feeling. This was a great tournament in preparation for the World Cup this summer, we are building momentum and it was a great team performance.  

“I didn’t even realise I had won [the Golden Boot]. It is a great achievement [but] I think this team have been excellent and now we need to keep moving forward.”

She added: “It is very special to be part of this amazing group of staff and players. It is a great bunch, the performances on the pitch show how great they are, and we have great depth too.”

England head coach Sarina Wiegman was asked about Kelly’s performances in her TV interview after the match.

Wiegman said: “She has done well again, you see so much joy within this team and you see it with her.

“She is very dangerous in the final third and it is good for the team and good for her.”

Captain Leah Williamson also bagged a brace on the night and there was also one for Lucy Bronze, as well as an own-goal, as England dominated Belgium from start to finish.

The visitors did score a stunning consolation goal late on but the result was never in doubt as Wiegman continued her unbeaten start to life as England’s head coach.

Well deserved girls, looking strong @Lionesses 💪🏼 🏆❤️ https://t.co/ZpKja33pHW

— Beth Mead (@bmeado9) February 22, 2023

The Lionesses will now take part in the first-ever Women’s Finalissima and face Australia in Brentford during April as they build towards this summer’s World Cup. 

Wiegman said: “[Tonight] was very nice. It was a full stadium, a good game and lots of goals. We conceded one which we didn’t like but it was a good goal. 

“It was a good week for the team, we have done many things and it is a good step forward in preparations for the World Cup.”

She continued: “I think we are in a good place. The competition in the team is really high, you hear us say it all the time but it is true and the depth in the team is good. 

“We have five months to go but the games were good. We had a lot of chats with the team and we know we have to step up more because the opponents in the World Cup will be even better than we have had now.”