Thomas Tuchel hailed England’s ‘team work in its purest form’ after his side planted one foot in next summer’s World Cup with a superb 5-0 victory in Serbia last night.
After Saturday’s drab 2-0 victory over Andorra, Harry Kane opened the scoring in Belgrade with a header from a Declan Rice corner – his 74th goal for his country – and Noni Madueke doubled England’s lead before half-time.
Defenders Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi added further goals before Marcus Rashford, on as a substitute, scored the fifth from the penalty spot after Ollie Watkins had been floored.
England have now won all five qualifiers without conceding a goal and are seven points clear at the top of Group K.
And Tuchel, on his best night yet as England boss, said: ‘It was team work in its purest form. We had the right intensity in the right moments. The players were excellent – full credit to the team. We had a brilliant week in camp and this was proof of it. I had a feeling this game and occasion would bring out best in us, and I feel I had a point.
‘We have given the players clarity on their role in the structure we are playing. We gave them the responsibility to bring it to life, and they did excellent.
Thomas Tuchel’s England side silenced their critics with their unified 5-0 thumping of Serbia
Elliot Anderson was one of the young talents singled out by the coach for shining in Belgrade
‘There is never a perfect performance, but this was very, very good. There was a lot of invisible work that you get no praise for – a lot of running, effort, it was good to watch.’
Elliot Anderson gave another star-man showing in midfield, while forwards Madueke and Morgan Rogers were also standout performers.
Of Anderson, the 22-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder, Tuchel said: ‘I discovered Elliot in his performances for his club. He deserved to be with us. When I saw him in the Under-21s final, I knew he could be a No.6 for us.
‘He has been excellent in camp and gave two excellent performances. Now, it’s on him to keep it going, to keep the freedom with him that he needs for his game. He’s just a very, very good football player and was a very good team-mate in camp.’
Of Madueke, Tuchel added: ‘I’m very happy that he scored and is involved in goals, because this is something he needs to add to his game. He played with hunger and directness, is fast and likes to dribble. That is what we want from him. But I’m most happy about his attitude, the reaction after ball losses, the work that he put in to help the team.’
