World Cup Qualifiers: Classy Northern Ireland see off Slovakia

A first half own goal and a wonderful Trai Hume finish - his first senior international goal - proved enough for a dominant Northern Ireland to boost their hopes of World Cup qualification against Slovakia.

Michael O'Neill's side produced, while not their best display by any stretch, a performance that was more than enough to see off a lacklustre away side.

It will certainly give them even more confidence of matching Germany on Monday night at the same venue, given the relative ease with how they dispatched Francesco Calzona's men.

And given this was a Slovakia side who themselves beat the Germans 2-0 in their opening match, expectations will now have risen that Northern Ireland can do something similar.

The only down side was a booking for Liverpool's Conor Bradley, which rules him out of that clash on Monday.

Northern Ireland began the tie in bright fashion with Issac Price and Justin Devenny down the left, and Bradley in particular on the right, enjoying plenty of freedom.

Despite their dominance in possession in the first quarter of an hour, chances were few and far between and the visitors looked dangerous on the counter attack when they did win the ball.

However, the hosts went in front – and deservedly so – on the 18th minute.

A neat ball from Bradley sent Ethan Galbraith scampering towards the byline on the right. The Swansea midfielder did well to cut it back to the edge of the six-yard box, where the unfortunate Patrik Hrosovsky could only direct it past his own keeper Martin Dubravka and into the net.

While Northern Ireland did sit slightly deeper in the immediate aftermath of the goal, they sprung to life again on the half hour mark with Devenny almost doubling the lead.

Seconds earlier, Galbraith broke and almost teed up Jamie Reid. But when the ball fell to Devenny on the left, the Crystal Palace man powered forward to crack in a powerful drive that was beaten out by Dubravka as the home side went on the hunt for a second.

If they could have found the second with that opportunity, they should have made it 2-0 just five minutes later.

Bradley surged forward only to see his pass partially cleared to Shea Charles. The Southampton midfielder was tackled, but the ball deflected into the path of Reid with only Dubravka to beat.

However, from eight yards out the Stevenage striker could only slice his effort horribly wide.

That was it for the half as Northern Ireland went in at the break probably slightly disappointed at only being one goal in front.

Despite going on the attack at the beginning of the second period, it was the visitors who were the first to threaten.

On 52 minutes, they had their first effort on goal with Bailey Peacock-Farrell having to be alert to stop Matus Bero's close-range header.

Northern Ireland did have the ball in the net for a second time three minutes before the hour mark as Reid redirected Shea Charles’ low curling shot past Dubravka.

He looked offside on first viewing and VAR confirmed that to be the case as the decibel level rose amongst the home support.

On 65 minutes, Slovakia had a huge opportunity to get back on level terms as they began to come into the game. Middlesbrough striker David Strelec went through on goal after outpacing Paddy McNair, but he dragged his effort wide of Peacock-Farrell's post.

At the other end, Shea Charles then forced Dubravka into a decent stop with a curling shot from 18 yards out as the hosts aimed to kill the tie off.

Then came that Hume stunner and what a way to score your first goal for your country.

Dubravka could only punch the ball as far as the defender 25 yards and the Sunderland man cooly lobbed it home first time with his left foot. It was a finish a striker would be proud of.

As Northern Ireland remained resolute at the back, there was still time for Bradley to almost score one of the goals of his life in stoppage time.

A mesmerising, twisting and turning run into the box was only stopped at the last second in what proved to be his last action of the tie before he went off to standing ovation - understandably disappointed at th hard yellow card he received that will prevent Northern Ireland's talisman from facing Germany on Monday.

With two wins from three secured, Northern Ireland now sit joint top of the table on six points alongside the Slovaks and the German.

They'll be eagerly awaiting the arrived of Julian Nagelsmann's side for that Belfast showdown in just over 48 hours' time.

Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell, Ballard, McNair, Hume, Devenny, Bradley (C) (Magennis 90), McCann, S Charles, Galbraith (Spencer 85), Reid (D Charles 71), Price

Subs not used: Hazard (GK), Southwood (GK), Toal, Saville, Marshall, Donley, Smyth, McConville, McDonnell

Slovakia: Dubravka, Gyomber, Obert, Skriniar (C), Satka, Hrosovsky (Benes 89), Bero, Duda (Rigo 63), Sauer (Tupta 82), Strelec (Mraz 89), Schranz (Haraslin 63)

Subs not used: Rodak (GK), Takac (GK), Pekarik, Mesik, Bozenik, Kozlovsky, Duris

Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)

Attendance: 18,109