Four things we learnt as Thomas Tuchel's England thrash Wales after early onslaught

The Wales faithful were in full voice on the evening - almost drowning out the home support before the game - but it wasn't to last for long.

Just three minutes, in fact. That's how long it took Morgan Rogers to open the scoring for England on the night. One set piece delivery, brilliantly recovered by Marc Guehi to stop the ball falling out of play for a goal kick before he perfectly played it into the path of Rogers, who caressed the ball into the far corner past the despairing Karl Darlow. His first England goal on his first start for the national team.

It remained a constant barrage of pressure from the home side, and it paid early again for the Three Lions after Ollie Watkins grabbed his first of the season. His last start for England, against Greece in 2024, merited a goal, and he did the same on the evening. Another dangerous delivery was kept alive, this time Rogers turned deliverer for his Aston Villa team-mate, with Watkins on the goal line to hammer it home.

Bukayo Saka then got in on the goals to make it three before the 20th minute had passed. Patient build-up before the ball reached the Arsenal winger, who used his signature shimmy to cut in from the left and curl it majestically into the top corner.

The rest of the match mostly petered out, as England slightly took their foot of the gas while Wales simply could not get a foothold on the ball, never mind the game.

On the whole, England were dominant over Wales from minute one. A commanding performance that maybe, just maybe, England fans can start to get used to.

As for Wales, it was a performance to forget. But they played England in formidable form and Craig Bellamy will also be looking to their fixture against Belgium next week as crucial. They finds themselves well in contention to qualify for the World Cup; just one point separates the top three in their group.

With that being said, here are three things we learnt from the match.

Thomas Tuchel's team cohesion and consistency paying off

"We try to collect the guys who, in the end, have the glue and cohesion to be the best team," Thomas Tuchel said ahead of tonight's game - and the cohesion is clear as day on the pitch.

He has insisted on the importance of a consistent team, and that has been evidenced by his squad selections - he aims for minimal changes, and it is paying off.

The side just looks more settled. Chopping and changing can't do anyone any good, giving debuts here and there. Tuchel is adamant he knows his squad already, depending on fitness - and it is telling.

Tonight, England were as dominant as a team can be, from minute one. While the foot was taken off the gas somewhat - only natural when going 3-0 up within 20 minutes - Wales did not have much of a sniff.

It mirrors the performance against Serbia, but it has been a while since England fans have seen such a dominating team. In years gone by watching England has become somewhat of a slog, particularly friendlies. Not anymore.

Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers - England may have stumbled on something special

Leading on from Tuchel's insistence on building a real team spirit, he finds himself changing his team much less, even in friendlies - in step Elliot Anderson and Rogers.

While their form at club level has not quite reached the heights of last season yet, they are doing the business, and some, with an England shirt on.

Anderson made just his third appearance tonight, and third start. He received Man of the Match in the previous two. Clearly, Tuchel is a fan and we can all see why. He sweeps everything up, is so efficient on the ball and also frees Declan Rice to impact the game further up the pitch, just as he now does for Arsenal.

As for Rogers, of course he scored his first international goal tonight, but once again he was such a threat on the transition and truly at his brilliant, elegant best. He may not have shown it quite enough at club level this season so far, but he has really staked a claim for that No10 position.

It leaves Tuchel with a brilliant headache. Jude Bellingham wasn't even included in the squad this time round in an effort to reward those who played so well in last month's matches - he faces a real struggle to force his way back into the starting team. Anderson and Rogers are absolutely dominating right now, and Tuchel is showing no indication of wanting to change a winning formula.

Left-wing being a weakness is a thing of the past

In recent years, the left-wing position has been somewhat of a weakness in the England side.

Phil Foden played there in last year's European Championships, but it was never quite right. His strengths and qualities did not add to the balance of the team, rather sometimes even detract from it.

Jack Grealish has also been in and out of that role, but hasn't had a sniff in the team since he lost his position at Manchester City. His recent performances at Everton might suggest a re-call could be on the cards, but England are starting to look pretty well-covered in that position now.

Rashford has had his moments in an England shirt, for sure, and adds the pace and directness not necessarily offered by Foden, but his inconsistent club form often saw him being left out all together. However, he has turned a corner at Barcelona and looked sharp when he came onto the pitch; he will undoubtedly be back in the squad next month, barring any fitness issues.

But the biggest improvement is Anthony Gordon. His speed, and his constant threat gives England the balance they were crying out for with Foden in the side.

Sometimes, the quality isn't all there. But his confidence on the ball, his ability to go inside out out - he is a shoe-in for the squad next summer, and most likely will hold that left-wing position, too.

Yes, Saka was brilliant tonight - but fans alike can big up Saka until the cows come home, he is just that good, and has been for some time. Gordon, however, may be the missing piece to the puzzle.

Now, Tuchel can look at his forward line: a dangerous left-wing, a brilliant No10 in Bellingham or Rogers, Saka on the right-hand side and, of course, Harry Kane through the middle. It doesn't sound bad.

Injuries at full-back? No problem

England are seeing somewhat of an injury crisis at full-back at the moment. Reece James pulled out of the squad at the eleventh hour, while Newcastle duo Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are both suffering from longer-term injuries.

There is little doubt that those three would all be in contention to play, if they were fit, so it left Tuchel scratching his head as to a solution: Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa.

Spence, a right-back by trade but has plenty of experience o the left-hand side, is phased by nothing. A willing runner, a proper defender and as physical as they come. He has been brilliant for Spurs since former boss Ange Postecoglou brought him into the fold, and he has continued that form through to the international stage.

On the other side, Konsa, who plays through the centre for Villa, had another top game. His pace and strength combined with his quality on the ball mean his is sure to be in the team come the summer, whether that's through the middle or at right-back.