England produced their best display under Thomas Tuchel in Tuesday’s 5-0 triumph over Serbia in Belgrade tonight.
Both teams were unbeaten in the World Cup qualifiers and occupied the top two spots in Group K ahead of kick-off.
England took control of proceedings early on and wasted no time pinning Serbia back in the opening exchanges.
The Three Lions threatened through Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane in the first half-hour before finally taking the lead 12 minutes from the interval.
Rice’s corner was headed home by Kane for his 74th international goal.
England doubled their lead two minutes later through Noni Madueke, who was played in on goal by Morgan Rogers. The Arsenal man produced a composed finish to open his international account.
Serbia headed into the interval staring down the barrel of a first home World Cup qualifying defeat since 2012.
The hosts’ woes were further compounded within seven minutes of the restart when Ezri Konsa pounced on a rebound off centre-back partner Marc Guehi to score his first England goal.
Any hopes of a Serbian comeback were extinguished in the 72nd minute following Nikola Milenkovic’s sending-off for a rash challenge on Kane.
England quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage to grab a fourth goal courtesy of Guehi’s sweeping finish from another Rice delivery.
Ollie Watkins thought he had netted a fifth for his side six minutes after coming on as a sub, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
However, Watkins earned England a penalty moments later, allowing Marcus Rashford to get in on the act from the spot.
England are seven points clear at the top of the group ahead of October’s encounter against Latvia.
