England's five winners and losers as Senegal pile more problems on Thomas Tuchel

Daily Mirror

a day ago

ENGLAND 1-3 SENEGAL: Harry Kane's early strike wasn't enough for the Three Lions who were beaten on home soil by the Africans as Thomas Tuchel's team underperformed again
England were beaten by an African nation for the first time as Senegal came from behind to secure a memorable win at the City Ground.
Xecond-half goals from Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly completed the comeback for the visitors after Harry Kane had given the Three Lions the ideal start, but the night ended with jeers in Nottingham. Thomas Tuchel had endured a forgettable few days following the drab win over Andorra.
‌
They were booed at half-time in that game and the ex-Chelsea boss was in need of a response, he didn't get it. England failed to press home their early advantage and Ismaila Sarr scored Senegal's equaliser shortly before half-time. The Three Lions had seen off Senegal on their last meeting, knocking them out of the World Cup in Qatar three years ago.
‌
However the Africans gained revenge as Diarra was able to make the most of a long ball and convert from a tight angle, putting it through the legs of Dean Henderson, who was looking to press home his claim to be the team's No 1.
In need of an equaliser England called on a host of their big names, bringing on the likes of Jude Bellingham, and it looked as if the Real Madrid man had set up a grandstand finish when he scored from close range. However VAR jumped in and highlighted a handball in the build-up.
England hoped that five minutes of added time would allow them to rescue some pride, but instead Sabaly, who has been scoring goals for Metz in Ligue 2, finished a swift counter-attack to the joy of the travelling fans.
We take a look at who will have come away from Tuesday night with a smile - and those who, for one reason or another, won't have been chuffed with their evening's work.
Winners
Harry Kane
He's been the golden boy for almost a decade but that status looks set to firmly remain. There's been previous talk of England needing to be prepared to look elsewhere, as well as suggestions that he can upset the team's dynamic by dropping deep. Well clearly Tuchel doesn't see it that way.
‌
Yes there were a lack of alternatives but Kane's amount of minutes suggests there's no great desire to give anyone else a chance and scoring in both games will only have added to his talismanic status.
Morgan Gibbs-White
On his home turf the Nottingham Forest star showed what he can do when finally given an opportunity. He has largely been an onlooker during this set of games but made up for lost time when he was introduced in the second-half. The forward continued to be creative and was central to England's best efforts as they went in search of an equaliser.
Losers
Ivan Toney
It was something of a shock to see the former Brentford man included given he's playing his football in Saudi Arabia. That hasn't stopped him scoring goals with regularity and clearly Tuchel felt that was enough to earn him a spot.
‌
But the German manager clearly didn't want to see much of him in match action - even when he bought Kane off it was Morgan Rogers who came on. He might be wondering why he made the trip from the Middle East given he got a mere three minutes come the end. Hardly enough time to have an impact.
Anthony Gordon
A hugely ineffective night for the Newcastle winger, who has done so much at club level to stake his international claim in recent years. On Tuesday night though he was unable to impact the game and will be left frustrated by several of his underwhelming contributions. His early shot was straight at the Senegal keeper, luckily Kane swept it home. He later missed a golden opportunity at the back post before being hauled off before the hour mark. Not his night.
‌
Kyle Walker
The veteran right-back was back in from the start, playing ahead of the likes of Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold. His glaring error allowed Senegal to equalise as the AC Milan loanee switched off and didn't react until it was too late as Sarr nipped in to score. Walker needs to prove he's still sharp and on top of his game now that he's hit his mid-30s, but won't have got rid of the question marks.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.