Three things we learned from ruthless England win as Thomas Tuchel delivers statement | OneFootball

Serbia blown away as Noni Madueke stars once more and Declan Rice’s set-piece prowess proves invaluable

England took a huge step towards World Cup qualification by thrashing Serbia.

The Three Lions produced their most convincing performance to date under Thomas Tuchel as goals from Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi and Marcus Rashford secured a huge 5-0 win in Belgrade.

They are top of their qualifying group and now hold a seven-point lead over new closest challengers Albania with just three games to play.

Here, Standard Sport takes a look at three things we learned from a memorable night for England at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

Tuchel enjoys best night of his England reign

There had been no shortage of critics before this clash in Belgrade.

England had gone into the game with a 100 per cent qualifying record, yet they had rarely convinced in those victories.

Tuchel’s stated aim of entertaining had often gone unfulfilled, with his side struggling to unlock deep-lying opponents.

This, however, was a different story - the kind of statement result Tuchel has been seeking.

His changes worked, with Anthony Gordon, Konsa, Morgan Rogers and Tino Livramento all impressing and giving England control.

It was a dominant away display in hostile surroundings. They finished with 69.9 per cent possession and limited Serbia to zero attempts on target. After a run of flat performances, this was a genuine step forward.

Serbia could not live with England, and finished the match with 10 men after Nikola Milenkovic was sent off.

It was a poor performance from the hosts, but Tuchel’s side took full advantage and showed a ruthless edge.

Value of set-pieces made clear

Tuchel had insisted beforehand that he would not hesitate to use set-pieces as a weapon, and that faith was rewarded.

England’s breakthrough came from a corner, with Kane expertly guiding Declan Rice’s delivery home.

It was deserved after a first half in which England had more than 70 per cent possession but, before Kane’s goal, they had struggled to create clear-cut chances.

The floodgates opened after that and underlined the importance of set-pieces as well as - as Arsenal have also discovered - the value of Rice’s delivery.

The midfielder assisted England’s fourth goal with a free-kick that was bundled in by Guehi after he brushed off his marker.

The third goal for Tuchel’s side, just after half-time, also came from a set-piece. On that occasion, Rice played the ball to Gordon instead of swinging it into the box and Konsa was on hand to hammer home his saved shot.

Even England’s fifth was a set-piece, with Rashford slotting a late penalty.

Marvellous Madueke shines again

Not all of England’s goals came from set-pieces, and the second was the product of open play. Elliot Anderson, retained after impressing on his debut against Andorra, fed Rogers, who produced a clever flick to release Madueke.

The winger was through in a flash and finished off coolly a move of real fluency, which is something that has been lacking in England’s qualifying campaign.

Serbia’s need to attack after falling behind gave England more space, but it was still a moment of quality.

The goal capped off another good performance for England by Madueke, who has made the most of Bukayo Saka being out injured.

Madueke has been directly involved in five goals during his nine caps and is quickly becoming a regular in Tuchel’s squad.

The winger’s ability to play on either flank adds to his value and he will have high hopes of making the World Cup next summer.