‘Nobody can complain’ – Four England stars get 9/10 in glittering player ratings as Thomas Tuchel silences doubters

From below-par to a five-star display – what a difference a few days can make.

England were boring and uninspiring in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Andorra, but showed they are a squad befitting of being labelled as genuine World Cup contenders against Serbia on Tuesday night.

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England bullied, battered and outclassed Serbia as they eased to a 5-0 win at the Rajko Mitic Stadium.

They have now won five successive World Cup qualifying games without conceding – and haven’t shipped a goal in over ten hours of competitive football.

And right from the off, there was a different level of intensity compared to what fans saw at Villa Park.

It was skipper Harry Kane that nodded the visitors into a deserved lead in the 33rd minute after getting on the end of Declan Rice‘s corner.

Just two minutes later Noni Madueke doubled the Three Lions’ lead after latching onto Morgan Rogers‘ delicate flick before dinking the ball over goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

As talkSPORT’s Adrian Durham put it at half-time: “We’ve been superb. We’ve answered a lot of questions. Nobody can complain.”

And things only got better in the second half as centre-backs Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi joined Madueke in scoring their first senior goal for England.

Konsa smashed a loose ball into the back of the net from close range, before Guehi bundled the ball home from a Rice free-kick in the 75th minute.

Marcus Rashford then put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute after slotting home a penalty – his first England goal since October 2023.

Serbia, who were reduced to ten men following Nikola Milenkovic’s foul on Kane in the 72nd minute, hadn’t conceded in World Cup qualifying prior to facing England in Group K.

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But they were no match against a rampant England who played as if they had a point to prove in what was their finest performance under boss Thomas Tuchel.

Giving his immediate full-time reaction, Durham said: “Well that was sensational.”

He added: “This is what England fans want.

“They want to dominate, they want goals, they want clean sheets, they want good football, it’s exactly what has been delivered.

“This is what we want, this could well lead to something very, very special next summer.”

Here’s how Durham rated and slated England’s stars…

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Ell of a player

Once again, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson was a standout player.

Featuring in just his second senior match, the 22-year-old has already forged a brilliant partnership alongside Rice in a double-picot.

From the last two World Cup qualifiers, Anderson ranks first in the squad for forward passes [48], successful passes [182], passes in the final third [66], tackles [five], duels won [14] and aerial duels won [seven].

Awarding Anderson a 9/10 rating, Durham said of the ex-Newcastle man: “Looked good against Andorra, but could he do it against Serbia?

“Yes is the answer. Some player.”

Anderson will now be looking to put on a show against Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday – live on talkSPORT – in Ange Postecoglou’s first game in charge of Forest.

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Top Marcs

If there was any doubt as to whether Guehi is England’s best current centre-back, that debate is over.

It was a dominant performance from the Crystal Palace skipper, who has barely put a foot wrong since making his debut in 2022.

On what was his 25th cap, Guehi boasted 71 successful passes from 73 attempts.

As well as getting on the score sheet, he also won 100 per cent of his tackles, 100 per cent of his ground duels and chipped in with six clearances.

Rated a 9/10, Durham remarked: “I was harsh on him against Andorra.

“But he’s a nailed on England starter, and he scored. Brilliant.”

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It’s a Mad world

England and Arsenal fans were left sweating after Bukayo Saka limped off in the Gunners’ 5-0 romp over Leeds last month.

But supporters’ needn’t have panicked, with the former Chelsea forward proving he is more than capable of stepping up in his absence.

From his nine appearances for England, Madueke has five goal contributions [one goal, four assists].

A constant menace down the right channel, the 23-year-old never stopped looking to beat his man and get in the box.

It’s no surprise that Durham has given him a 9/10 rating as he sung Madueke’s praises.

He stated: “Always a threat, always wanting to be dynamic, brilliant.”

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Finally… a Tuch of class

Tuchel was subject to intense criticism following the Andorra performance, with fans and pundits lamenting his style of play.

But what fans were treated to against Serbia was something they have been desperate to see.

Free-flowing, relentless attack.

It was a display that had Durham purring as he awarded Tuchel a 9/10 – an astonishing upgrade from the 3/10 he was given last time out.

Durham said: “Finally the players got the message, this was what he’s been wanting.

“This is what he can bring. We ripped them to shreds.”

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