Rico Lewis, John Stones and Jack Grealish made Lee Carsley’s first XI at Wembley Stadium as the Three Lions extended their winning start to two straight Group B2 games.
Ahead of the match, a fitting and well-observed tribute was held for former England and City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson who sadly passed away in August.
The Swede was at the nation’s helm between 2001 and 2006 before overseeing a memorable campaign at the Etihad Stadium in 2007/08 which is still fondly remembered by all of those connected to the Club.
After beating the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in their previous outing, Harry Kane – who was making his 100th appearance for his country – thought he had given the hosts the lead before his close-range header was ruled out for offside.
England then started to push for the game’s first goal and Lewis was in the thick of the action when he teed up Trent Alexander-Arnold whose venomous effort whistled just past the post.
On a special night for Kane, the Bayern Munich forward wouldn’t be denied for much longer when he slammed home his 67th international goal to break the deadlock.
With 15 minutes remaining, England’s leading all-time scorer then scored his second when sweeping home Noni Madueke’s cut-back into the net.
Carsley’s men now sit at Nations League Group B2’s summit on six points.
Elsewhere, Nathan Ake started but was forced off through injury in the first half as the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Germany.
Ronald Koeman’s side made the perfect start when Ryan Gravenberch teed up Tijani Reijnders who calmly slotted low into the net inside two minutes.
Holland held their advantage deep into the first half, but the visitors flipped the match on its head in the remaining seven minutes through quickfire goals from Denis Undav and Joshua Kimmich.
Things worsened for the hosts when Ake was substituted on the cusp of half-time after suffering an injury.
But in a breathless contest at Johan Cruijff ArenA, the Netherlands were level shortly after the break when Denzel Dumfries tapped into an empty net following Brian Bobbey’s inviting cross.
That represented the game’s last goal as honours were even.
