Jodie Taylor marked her return to Prenton Park in some style, with a goal and a dominant England victory over hapless Russia.

Elena Fomina’s side had a player sent off and found themselves 4-0 down, all by half time, with goal from Nikita Parris, Taylor, Jordan Nobbs and Lucy Bronze.

There was even time for Fran Kirby to miss a penalty for England in the first half before Toni Duggan added two more after the break to complete the rout.

With supporters still filing into the ground – perhaps caught out by the 7pm kick off – England started the match attacking the Bebington Kop end.

The Lionesses looked the brighter with a knockdown from former Tranmere player Taylor setting up Kirby, who’s shot was blocked.

The ex-Everton star then collected a ball over the top but was foiled – in somewhat unorthodox fashion – by onrushing Tatyana Schcherbak in the visitors’ goal.

But England were in front by the 11th minute when Parris moved quickest in the box to latch onto a loose ball and expertly dispatched her right-footed shot into the bottom corner.

That lead was doubled five minutes later when Kirby threaded a perfectly weighted pass through to Taylor who poked the ball home to rapturous cheers.

The Birkenhead-born striker looked thrilled to have scored at the Kop end in what was a perfect homecoming for the icon of Woman’s English football.

Russia were struggling to live with the movement and pace of their hosts and in particular Kirby.

A free kick from captain Steph Houghton curled just over the bar on the 20-minute mark as England continued to press for more goals.

Russia had their first effort on goal when Ksenia Tsybutovich saw her 25-yard free kick rise over the bar on 23 minutes.

Duggan charged forward slicing a long-range effort wide, as Mark Sampson’s side continued to boss proceedings.

Things went from bad to worse for Russia when England were awarded a penalty after Ksenia Tsybutovich handled in the area – and having already been booked in the early stages, the referee showed her a second yellow, dismissing her for her troubles.

Kirby took the spot-kick but saw it saved by the legs of Shcherbak. That was only only a minor holdup however, to the arrival of England’s third.

Kirby slalomed her way through penalty area before pulling back for Nobbs who blasted home from 12 yards.

Some loose play in the England rear guard let Elena Danilova in on goal but her shot from the edge of the box was easily saved by redundant England ‘keeper Siobhan Chamberlain.

The Lionesses were attacking in waves and had time for a fourth just before half time when Bronze smacked in a half-volley from the edge of the box, delighting the Prenton Park congregation.

England picked up where they left off after the break, with Millie Bright heading a corner into the clutches of Shcherbak, before Demi Stokes fired a hopeful effort over the bar.

The hosts had their fifth of the evening before the hour mark when a low cross was missed by Kirby but stroked into the top corner by Duggan on the edge of the box.

With the game already wrapped up, Taylor was withdrawn on 65 minutes to a standing ovation, making way for Ellen White.

Substitute White wasted no time getting in on the action – forcing a save out of the overworked Shcherbak before Nobbs hammered one over the bar.

Unmarked Russian substitute Anna Belomyttseva missed a chance to pull one back when she miscued a far post header over the bar.

But England had a sixth gift wrapped, when a sliced Russian clearance fell to the feet of Duggan who gleefully stroked the ball into an empty net.

Ekaterina Pantyukhina rattled the bar for Russia late on but there was no spoiling the party for England, who kicked off their World Cup Qualifying campaign in almost perfect fashion.

The crowd of 7,047 – many of which were children – left thoroughly entertained having witnessed the most perfect advertisement for Woman’s football imaginable.

England 6

Parris 11, Taylor 14, Nobbs 36, Bronze 44, Duggan 57, 84

Russia 0

Half time: 4-0

Star player: Fran Kirby

Attendance: 7,047

Entertainment: 5/5

Ref: Stephanie Frappart

England (4-4-2): Chamberlain, Bronze, Stokes, Nobbs, Houghton, Bright, Parris (Carney 60), Moore, Taylor (White 65), Kirby (Christiansen 70), Duggan

Subs not used: Telford, Bassett, Greenwood, Scott