England are in action against Latvia in a World Cup qualifying Group K match on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Roshane Thomas, Mark Carey and Will Jeanes break down the talking points from Wembley.<\/p>\n
How did Watkins get on in Kane\u2019s place?<\/p>\n
It was a mixed 45 minutes for Watkins. It only took the forward 10 minutes to justify his selection in the starting XI when he doubled England\u2019s lead from close range.<\/p>\n
Given Watkins\u2019 struggles for Villa this season, it looked set to be a morale-boosting outing. The 29-year-old, who made his England debut in March 2021, has one goal across his 10 appearances for Villa this season. But on the stroke of half-time, his left leg collided with the back post as he attempted to get on the end of Anderson\u2019s cross. England\u2019s physios assisted the forward off the field, but once he returned, he was walking gingerly. Marcus Rashford replaced him at the interval.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2240155744-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n (Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Before his withdrawal, he showed that he remains a worthy backup for Kane. Watkins, who has registered seven goals in 20 caps and memorably scored a 90th-minute winner in England\u2019s semi-final win over the Netherlands at Euro 2024, has largely been the understudy to Kane, but he remains better suited to the role than fellow attackers Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke.<\/p>\n
After Watkins\u2019 early substitution, Tuchel experimented with playing Anthony Gordon as a lone striker, with Rashford operating on the left flank.<\/p>\n
Roshane Thomas<\/p>\n
Is Anderson a definite starter in midfield?<\/p>\n
Since making his England debut against Andorra in September, Anderson has started victories over Serbia and Wales.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old, who previously played for Scotland\u2019s junior teams, has been the preferred central midfield partner for Declan Rice. Anderson\u2019s form for Nottingham Forest warranted his initial call-up last month, but few could have envisioned the midfielder being a key option for Tuchel this early into his international career.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2240165765-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n Anderson again impressed in midfield (Mike Hewitt\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Against Wales, Tuchel started Anderson ahead of fellow midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jordan Henderson. With Tuchel opting against calling up Real Madrid playmaker Jude Bellingham and in-form Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, it adds further credence to the belief that the Anderson and Rice partnership is here to stay.<\/p>\n
It was a position that had a plethora of options, from Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United, Liverpool\u2019s Curtis Jones, and Angel Gomes of Marseille, but their lack of consistency for their respective clubs has enabled Anderson to leapfrog them in the pecking order.<\/p>\n
As the World Cup approaches, Tuchel appears unlikely to tinker with his midfield, which will enable Anderson\u2019s importance to grow stronger.<\/p>\n
Roshane Thomas<\/p>\n
How important are set pieces to Tuchel?<\/p>\n
It was only last month that Tuchel stressed the importance of set pieces for England\u2019s chance of success next summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told you \u2014 the long throw-in is back,\u201d Tuchel said after England\u2019s victory over Andorra. \u201cWe do not have a lot of time, but once we arrive at the World Cup, all these things matter, so we will also talk about long throw-ins, long kicks from the goalkeeper, and not only playing short.\u201d<\/p>\n
Corners and wide free kicks are undoubtedly a part of that, with these \u201cclosed\u201d skills being easier to work on during the limited time on the training field within each camp.<\/p>\n
England\u2019s two opening goals coming from corner phases only serve to underpin that point further.<\/p>\n
Easy tap-ins from Rogers and Watkins came from well-worked movement and desire from their team-mates \u2014 and while England looked impressive in open play, goals from set pieces will please Tuchel as much as any other facet of the game.<\/p>\n
Mark Carey<\/p>\n
Will Pickford continue record clean-sheet run?<\/p>\n
This was Jordan Pickford\u2019s eighth clean sheet in a row for England, breaking the national team\u2019s record for a goalkeeper.<\/p>\n
The previous mark of seven had been set firstly by Gordon Banks, with the last of those games being the 1966 World Cup quarter-final against Argentina at Wembley, which England won 1-0. Banks was then beaten from the penalty spot by Portugal\u2019s Eusebio in the semi-finals of that tournament, with that match also at Wembley.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2239571218.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n Pickford has now surpassed Banks\u2019 record (Marc Atkins\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Pickford then equalled Banks\u2019 record in 2021, with his final clean sheet of that run coming in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 against Ukraine. Then, like Banks 55 years previously, he conceded in the semi-finals of a major tournament at Wembley \u2014 Denmark\u2019s Mikkel Damsgaard beating him with a free kick.<\/p>\n
But now, following the shutout against Wales, Pickford holds the record outright, and he will be eager to extend it further against Latvia on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Most clean sheets in a row for England<\/p>\n
PlayerLast game in runClean sheets in a row<\/p>\n
Jordan Pickford<\/p>\n
ONGOING<\/p>\n
8<\/p>\n
Gordon Banks<\/p>\n
v Argentina in July 1966<\/p>\n
7<\/p>\n
Jordan Pickford<\/p>\n
v Ukraine in July 2021<\/p>\n
7<\/p>\n
Peter Shilton<\/p>\n
v Australia in June 1983<\/p>\n
6<\/p>\n
Peter Shilton<\/p>\n
v Romania in May 1985<\/p>\n
6<\/p>\n
Will Jeanes<\/p>\n
Why were England\u2019s full-backs so impressive?<\/p>\n
Beyond their territorial dominance and set-piece prowess, there was a very specific part of England\u2019s attack that will please Tuchel.<\/p>\n
Playing Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa at left and right full-back might not have inspired many, but both were very impressive in their underlapping and overlapping runs to help create space for their respective wingers.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2240161030-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n Spence played at left-back with Konsa at right-back (Harry Murphy \u2013 The FA\/The FA via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
It happened as early as the first minute. Gordon received the ball under little pressure thanks to the inside runs made by Spence to drag Welsh players away. Two more were notched up before the 20-minute mark as England punished Wales on both flanks.<\/p>\n
Run the tape back on Saka\u2019s goal. A sublime finish, but helped by the selfless run made inside him by Konsa. These are patterns that are befitting of a club team, and each of England\u2019s players fulfilled their tactical demands down to a tee.<\/p>\n
Mark Carey<\/p>\n
What did Tuchel say?<\/p>\n