England fans delighted as Eberechi Eze makes Three Lions debut as second half sub in 4-0 win over Malta... as Crystal Palace beam over their star's international bow

• e-mail

England fans have taken to social media to express their delight at seeing Eberechi Eze make his England debut against Malta. 

The Crystal Palace forward was a second half substitute for James Maddison in the Three Lions' 4-0 win, as he finally won his first England cap. 

His debut comes two years later than planned after he was initially called-up for England's Euro 2020 provisional squad. Only for him to suffer an achilles injury on the same day that ruled him out of contention and on the sidelines for a number of months. 

However, the 24-year-old bounced back from the injury and his form this season was rewarded by Gareth Southgate with a debut in England's Euro 2024 qualifier. 

His appearance was rejoiced across social media, with one happy Crystal Palace fan saying: 'So good to see Eberechi Eze make his England debut. Happy for him man, he deserves this moment!' 

Eberechi Eze made his England debut in the Three Lions' 4-0 win against Malta on Friday 

The Crystal Palace attacker entered the fray as a second half substitute for James Maddison 

Eze came close to a debut goal but his shot was blocked on the line by the Malta defence 

Those sentiments were echoed by others, who shared their delight in Eze pulling on the Three Lions for the first time. 

'Eberechi Eze makes his senior England debut. Absolutely delighted for him' One user said, with another stating: 'Yeah, Eze makes his England debut, so pleased for him!' 

Fans from his former clubs were also quick to send messages of congratulations to their former star,  with one QPR fan site saying it's no more than the Eze deserved. 

Telling the ex-Rangers man 'From humble beginnings to the world. Congrats to Ebere Eze on his England debut, a testament to his hard work and dedication…Nobody deserves it more. Keep shining starboy'.

While fans of clubs that let Eze go, like Millwall, were quick to point out the club's mistake. One fan moaned: 'Eze makes his debut for England....Millwall released him as a youth player ....which shows two things never give up ...and the Millwall Youth selection process needs looking at!' 

Fans went onto Twitter to share their delight in seeing Eze get his chance for the England team

It's not just domestically either, as Eze's Nigerian decent saw one user share his disappointment that he won't be representing the Super Eagles now that he's won his first England cap. 

'Congratulations Ebere Eze on your debut for English National Team.' A tweet read. 

'We had waited in vain to see you play for Super Eagles of Nigeria. We will now wait to see how many caps you get perhaps ahead of Bellingham, Foden, Mount and Madison. Good luck!' 

Eze's current club Crystal Palace also sent their congratulations via the club's official Twitter feed and the Eagles website, as he became the 18th Palace player to represent England. 

They sent out a series of Tweets declaring how proud they were of Eze on making his debut, and send a message of congratulations to him and teammate Marc Guehi who started the game in the centre of the defence. 

During Eze's twenty minute cameo, the Palace number ten came close to marking his debut with a goal, as his shot was blocked on the line by a wall of Maltese defenders.