Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane & Marcus Rashford send England to seventh heaven! Winners & losers as Three Lions blow North Macedonia away

Arsenal fans were probably scared to see their winger's name on the teamsheet, just days after he had to be removed at half-time after a heavy knock. But he looked fit from the get-go, and turned in his most successful night in an England shirt yet, scoring his first career hat-trick.

In truth, North Macedonia made it rather easy for the winger, especially as he strode into empty space for his third. Still, he won't care. Now onto a much-deserved rest for one of the world's brightest young talents.

It's been four years, and the winger still doesn't seem to have Southgate's full trust. There was no real need for Grealish here, but the fact that he was yet again confined to minutes off the bench spoke volumes.

This is a refined version of the player who left Aston Villa two years ago, a theoretically more disciplined Grealish that should suit Southgate's style more. But the manager perhaps still isn't sold. He might have to fight for his spot in the months, and even years, to come.

And so the discourse continues... Is Alexander-Arnold a right-back? Is he a No.8? Perhaps he could be a perfect deep-lying playmaker? Regardless, a midfield role in some capacity should be in the Liverpool star's future.

He was metronomic here, keeping the ball moving in an otherwise relatively slow affair, spraying passes from deep and playing one curled ball into the path of Saka for England's fourth. Southgate suggested earlier this week that a permanent switch to a similar role could finally make him an England regular. He showed exactly why on Monday evening.

When Jude Bellingham is around and if Mason Mount regains his old form, Gallagher probably won't be in this England side. Still, if he's fighting for his long-term inclusion, he's not exactly selling himself.

Gallagher presses and runs very well, but this game required a bit more composure and poise. And while the rest of the England side were more than happy to knock the ball around, the Chelsea man tried to do a bit too much. He will still be an option, but hasn't made a case to be a regular as Euro 2024 approaches.

The Azzurri have endured a miserable few months, and North Macedonia getting anything here would have seen their qualification chances take a real blow. Instead, they are just about still in the game. The next two matches, though, will be crucial, with the Macedonians and Ukraine to come.

That England took points from their rivals should make those fixtures slightly less decisive. Manager Roberto Mancini might just have a chance of avoiding the embarrassment of failing to qualify for back-to-back major tournaments with the holders.

This was a game crying out for Eze. The Crystal Palace midfielder enjoyed some nice moments in 20 minutes against Malta, presumably enough to justify his inclusion here. But Southgate opted for Jordan Henderson instead, leaving Eze to watch from the bench as an unused substitute.

It was a decision very much out of character from a manager who has been willing to give youth a try in qualifiers. Eze will surely get another shot, but this could have been a night to assert himself.