Harry Kane and Noni Madueke scored in the space of two first-half minutes as England took a 2-0 lead at the break of their World Cup qualifier in Serbia.
England looked a touch laboured at times again in the opening 20 minutes but broke through when captain Kane headed in from a Declan Rice corner.
It was Kane’s 44th goal in 40 qualifiers for England, and his 74th overall.
Arsenal winger Madueke then broke clear after a neat touch from Morgan Rogers to sprint away and dink home a lovely second.
A win in Belgrade would take Thomas Tuchel’s side eight points clear of Serbia with just three matches left.