England maintained their perfect record in World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over a stubborn Andorra side at Villa Park.

It needed Christian Garcia to nod the ball beyond his own goalkeeper from Noni Madueke’s cross to bring the breakthrough in front of the Holte End. The second came midway through the second half when Declan Rice headed in Reece James’ cross.

England have now won all eight games they have played against Andorra without conceding a goal but Thomas Tuchel had compared breaking them down to chewing gum beforehand because of how tough it can be, and so it proved.

Harry Kane’s run of scoring in each of England’s previous five international games came to an end but the points were never in doubt. Tuchel’s side top Group K with four wins from four ahead of a sterner test when they travel to Belgrade to face Serbia on Tuesday.

Anderson shines on debut

Elliot Anderson took on the deeper role in midfield with Rice more advanced and the Nottingham Forest midfielder was the outstanding player in the first half, sniffing out any danger to sustain attacks and using the ball smartly once he had retrieved it.

Tuchel had bemoaned the absence of such a player in the build-up. “There is not one pivotal, classic, deep No 6, except maybe John Stones,” said the England boss. With Stones injured, Anderson’s performance will have given him food for thought.

Of course, this was Andorra. England will need much more from their holding midfielder at the World Cup. And Anderson’s assignment was a little easier than the task faced by those further forwards – Rice, Eberechi Eze and Kane finding space more congested.

But it was a mature, responsible display by a player making his senior debut. Fresh from his influential role in England’s U21 success in Slovakia, Anderson’s flexibility will also count in his favour. It would now be a surprise if he is not in the World Cup squad.

Keane’s verdict on Anderson

Sky Sports’ Roy Keane speaking on ITV:

“Anderson has done very well, it was an easy game as he had lots of possession – he had an impact and he will be pleased. If he starts on Tuesday in Serbia, it will be interesting to see how he does, but he makes the game look easy.”

Tuchel: Anderson passed the test

England boss Thomas Tuchel speaking to ITV:

“He was a bit nervous at the beginning of the training week but then he did good and we said let’s try it. He showed he can become a very good player.

“That was the test and I think he passed the test. There is no reason why he should not play in Serbia if we decide to have the position for him. He is ready to go.”

Who missed their chance?

While Kane would have been disappointed to blank, the England captain probably does not need to fear for his place given his record as well as his recent form for club and country. It was Eze who will leave Villa Park wondering whether he seized his chance.

“I think Ebs had not quite the quality, could not find the creativity – that’s the right word, not the quality but the creativity – that he found in training, to free up spaces, when maybe he did a surprising last pass to free up Harry or Nonny on the side,” said Tuchel.

But perhaps Anderson had the easier task away from the wall of bodies that was the Andorra defence. “Marcus tried hard together with Declan, it’s not always as easy as it looks.” That is something that England continue to find out when they face Andorra.

Dorsett: England did the job

Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett at Villa Park:

“There will be criticism that this wasn’t more emphatic for sure, but England did the job they set out to do, with more assuredness than they managed against the same opposition in June.

“You could see more of the energy, and more of the ‘identity’ that Tuchel was seeking – pushing the full-backs forward to overlap the wingers, who operated just inside, was a deliberate tactic to overload a stubborn Andorra defence in the wide areas.

“And that’s where England’s second goal came from for Rice’s header. In fact, James’ crosses all game looked most likely to increase England’s lead.

“But the most significant outcome from this game was Anderson’s senior debut, which was assured and impressive. Tuchel has long bemoaned the absence of a true, natural No 6 in his England ranks – he may have just found one.”