Harry Kane scored a goal and provided an assist for Mason Mount as England eased past Albania 2-0 at the Arena Kombetare on Saturday.
It was Kane's first England goal since 2019 while Mount has now scored or assisted in three consecutive games for his country.
Albania initially made things difficult for England but once skipper Kane headed home in the 38th minute for his 33rd goal for his country it was a relatively straightforward assignment for Gareth Southgate's team.
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Kane also hit the woodwork, as did Phil Foden, before midfielder Mount doubled England's lead just past the hour mark with a deft finish from Kane's pass.
Albania were left to rue an early chance squandered by Myrto Uzuni, after which they rarely threatened an England side who followed up their 5-0 rout of San Marino on Thursday with a sure-footed display against much stiffer opposition.
They top the standings with six points from two games ahead of their home clash with most-likely group rivals Poland at Wembley on Wednesday. Albania have three points following their victory over Andorra in midweek.
Kane did not hit the target in six appearances for England in 2020 and was deprived of closing the gap on record scorer Wayne Rooney when he was rested for the San Marino game.
But the Tottenham forward got his total ticking again when he escaped his marker to glance in Luke Shaw's cross to settle his side down after a disjointed start.
"I thought it was a good performance, it's never easy playing away against a tough side," Kane told ITV.
"Perhaps we were somewhat delayed to begin however we changed the arrangement somewhat part of the way through the main half and got more sprinters in the crate.
"Getting the objective before halftime was extraordinary and we controlled the second half well."
Britain had battled for familiarity with the beginning phases on a tenacious pitch and Albania had the principal genuine possibility when they seized on a free pass and broke forward hazardously however Uzuni bursted over to the help of the guests.
Kane ought to have made it 2-0 when he met Raheem Sterling's perilous cross at the far-post yet his half-volley ran into the essence of the crossbar.
Britain were far more honed in the subsequent half and Foden, a piece of a three-pronged England assault, constrained a fine save from home manager Etrit Berisha who turned his shot against the post.
Albania talented away belonging in a perilous region in the 63rd moment and were appropriately rebuffed as Kane slipped a pass to Mount who tranquilly dispatched his shot past Berisha.
"I thought his presentation was great," Southgate said of Mount after the match.
"He is an extraordinary player, he discovers space wisely, he controls the ball well indeed, he makes possibilities and he scores objectives.
Britain were in journey control from that point on as guardian Nick Pope, assigning for the harmed Jordan Pickford, turned into the principal England manager not to yield an objective in his initial six appearances.
The solitary imperfections for England were yellow cards appeared to Kyle Walker and Kane.
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