Serbia 0-5 England – Much-improved England power to win
England produced the best display yet of the Thomas Tuchel era to take a commanding step towards World Cup qualification with a thumping 5-0 win in Serbia.
After another stodgy start England kicked into gear once captain Harry Kane headed in his 74th international goal from a Declan Rice corner.
Noni Madueke sprinted away to score a superb second before the break and centre-half partners Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi added more goals from set-pieces after the break.
Serbia’s misery was completed when captain Nikola Milenkovic was sent-off with 19 minutes left for chopping down Kane. Guehi scored from the following free-kick and sub Ollie Watkins then touched in from an offside position before Marcus Rashford scored from the spot.
England had not visited Serbia since 1987 and were gifted a late penalty when Watkins was chopped down and another replacement, Rashford, rolled in.
England lead Group K by seven points with three games remaining.
Tuchel is the fourth manager to win each of his first five competitive games in charge of England after Fabio Capello (first 8), Ron Greenwood (first 6) and Sven-Goran Eriksson (first 5).
More to follow
