Northern Ireland 2 Czech Republic 0: Jonny Evans and Chris Brunt fire the goals as Irish head for World Cup play-offs
Michael O'Neill's heroes now odds on to qualify for the finals in Russia for first time since 1986
JONNY EVANS and Chris Brunt scored the goals which sent shockwaves all the way from the Midlands to Moscow.
The West Brom duo capped a perfect night at Windsor Park to secure Northern Ireland second spot in Group C.
And that makes them odds-on to play-off for a place in next summer’s World Cup finals, which would be their first since 1986.
Boss Michael O’Neil’s in-form side are shattering records along the road to Russia having now won five games in a row for the first time.
The 28th-minute goal and the victory are all the sweeter for centre-half Evans as he puts the disappointment of missing out on a £30million move to Manchester City last week behind him.
He returns to The Hawthorns on Tuesday, along with fellow defender Brunt, knowing that he will not be playing Champions League football anytime soon.
But he could still rub shoulders with the best players in the world in nine months’ time in the green and white of Northern Ireland.
If they make it all the way it will be the second major tournament in a row for this tiny footballing country under boss Michael O’Neill following the adventure of reaching Euro 2016.
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The opening goal from Evans was only his second in 11 years as a growing influence in the team.
His only other one came in a World Cup qualifier in 2009 against Poland and Northern Ireland have been transformed since then.
A completely redeveloped Windsor Park reflects a squad which is punching well above its weight in football terms.
Northern Ireland have not conceded a goal since a brave 2-0 defeat against World Champions Germany and against the Czechs clinched that historic fifth win in a row.
They have also lost only two of their last 17 qualifying matches compared to winning just two of the previous 17 to ram home the point of how times have changed.
Evans’s scruffy goal suited a hard-won game in which he and several other Northern Ireland players paid the price for victory with bruises.
Evans was stamped on twice and Conor McLaughlin was checked for a suspected broken jaw after being flattened by winger Jan Boril.
So it felt like justice when a corner was headed clear only to be nodded back in by Oliver Norwood from the edge of the box.
Evans somehow arched his back and looped a header diagonally over keeper Tomas Vaclik to put his team ahead.
Jonny Evans’ younger brother Corry then played a part in the second and decisive goal, racing 60 yards with the ball before being tripped 25 yards out by Novak.
Brunt stepped up and curled a classy left foot shot round the wall to beat the dive of the keeper as the ball tucked neatly inside the post to seal the win.
Group leaders Germany hammered Norway 6-0 thanks to goals from Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler, Timo Werner (2) and Leon Goretzka (2).
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