ENGLAND continued their 100 per cent record in World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over Serbia.
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze scored the decisive goals either side of half-time.
Saka kicked things off with a composed volley into the bottom-left corner at the half-hour mark.
Eze then secured the victory with a brilliant strike in the late stages.
But it was Manchester City ace Nico O’Reilly who stole the show on his Three Lions debut.
The 20-year-old seemlessly fitted into the line-up from the off in defence alongside Ezri Konsa, John Stones and Reece James.
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Thomas Tuchel will now surely have to consider him a rival for Djed Spence at left-back.
Another man who impressed on the night was Elliot Anderson alongside Declan Rice in midfield.
However, captain Harry Kane failed to match expectations.
Here’s how SunSport’s Dan King rated the performance.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Had very little to worry about in the first half apart from a couple of corners and a problem that required a bit of treatment. Happy to see Dusan Vlahovic send two second-half chances wide after being left exposed by defence.
Reece James – 6
Solid defensively, with one decent block after a free kick, but some short passes forward were not great, his longer crossfield balls were better. Caught out of position by a long ball in second half which led to Serbia chance. Better going forward after the break.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Good recovery to close down Vlahovic early on and a couple of other first-half interventions to keep a pretty unambitious Serbia at bay. England’s Mr Reliable/Versatile did not put a foot wrong.
John Stones – 6
A fairly uneventful night for the 31-year-old as more of the work fell to Konsa alongside him. Mostly did what he had to do but missed header from long ball just after hour.
Nico O’Reilly – 7
Did little wrong and plenty right on his debut. Had confidence to take on a shot which was deflected into the path of Saka for the opener and happy to overlap. Not really tested defensively, England more vulnerable down their right.
Declan Rice – 6
Cleared up the odd bit of untidiness but not particularly effective going forward except for one exchange with Rashford and some of his set-piece delivery was not great in the first-half.
Elliot Anderson – 7
Plenty of energy and determination, and always willing to demand the ball, even in tight spaces. Retained possession well and provided more forward thrust than Rice, particularly after the break.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Was not having his greatest night until a lovely volleyed finish – with a suspicion of shin – to give England the lead. Still decent, but Tuchel’s team were more dangerous down left for most of game.
Morgan Rogers – 7
Oh, Thomas, you little tease. So much for Rogers’ hamstring niggle, as he started instead of Jude Bellingham and was lively from the get-go. Had quiet spells but always looking for combinations.
Marcus Rashford – 6
Showed flashes of his Barcelona form but without decisive end product, just some shots easily saved and the odd bit of intelligent link-play. Overhit chance to play in Rice.
Harry Kane – 5
Worked hard in the first half without having much sight of goal and when he did, sent a header wide from a Rice corner. Seemed to take a knock shortly after break, subbed with 25 left.
Subs
Eberechi Eze (for Rashford, 65) – 7
Almost an immediate impact was he played in Anderson for a shot from a narrow angle. Did little else until he hit the bar with a late opportunity and then a lovely finish to make it 2-0.
Jordan Henderson (for Rice, 65) – 6
Took the captain’s armband after coming on and, having given away the ball with one of his early touches, did fine.
Phil Foden (for Kane, 65) – 6
Tuchel tried him out in a false nine role, as promised, but he could not produce a No9’s header from a Henderson cross. Played in Eze for a late chance and then for goal.
Jude Bellingham (for Rogers, 65) – 7
Livened things up as soon as he came on. Went through most of repertoire and looked like a man with something to prove, starting move for the second goal. Treat ‘em mean, keep ‘em keen.
Adam Wharton (for Anderson, 85) – 5
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Gave the ball away with his first touch but otherwise fine in a cameo role with little chance to make an impression.
Not used: Dean Henderson, James Trafford, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Burn, Djed Spence, Jarrod Bowen, Jarell Quansah.
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