Chelsea's teenage Israeli striker Ben Sahar has proved that he is ready to compete for a place in the first-team at the Premiership champions, after scoring two goals for England’s Group E rivals Israel in their 4-0 win over Estonia in their Euro 2008 Group E qualifier on Wednesday.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had said the 17-year-old Israeli would be ready for the Premiership coming season.

But on Wednesday, at the tender age of 17 years 230 days, Sahar became Israel's youngest ever international scorer, with two goals to help lift Israel to equal-second place in Group E of EURO 2008 qualifying.

Goals from Idan Tal and Roberto Colautti - who were both back from suspension - in the opening half-hour gave Israel a comfortable lead going into half-time, before Ben Sahar came on as a substitute for Toto Tamuz in the 64th minute and claimed his first two international goals.

While Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth described Sahar, as a "Golden Boy," Maariv said: "Ben Sahar is the player we have dreamed we would one day have. He plays simply and effectively and he sees only one thing ahead of him - the opposition's goal."

EURO 2008 qualifying Group E makes interesting reading, with Croatia currently at the top of the group on 13 points, followed by Israel, Russia and England - who are all on 11 points.

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