MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY made history and Harry Kane extended his own record-breaking as England sunk Albania in Thomas Tuchel’s first game in charge.
Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut and all-time top goal-getter Kane notched his 70th strike to launch World Cup qualifying with a so-so 2-0 win over Albania.
Myles Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his England debut[/caption]
Harry Kane made it 2-0 with his 70th England goal[/caption]
Thomas Tuchel saw Lewis-Skelly & Co win his first game in charge[/caption]
New boy Dan Burn partnered Ezri Konsa in central defence, while Marcus Rashford and Curtis Jones were also handed starts.
Meanwhile, Tuchel wrestled with a familiar issue as predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate – deciding how to use Phil Foden.
Left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, slotted home on 20 minutes following a delightful turn and even better pass from Jude Bellingham, before Burn headed against the bar.
But England stuttered after the break – until skipper Kane classily took down a Declan Rice pass and curved home his 70th international goal.
Here’s how the Three Lions rated in Tuchel’s opening match after officially taking over last October.
JORDAN PICKFORD – 6
WITH Tuchel naming four goalkeepers in his first squad, you wondered if the long-serving stopper’s position in goal may be under threat.
But Pickford started and looked fairly assured with what little he had to do.
Was not afraid to go long with his passes at times, compared to the obsession in the Premier League of playing out from the back no matter what.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
Had one nervy moment when Dan Burn’s block looped up against the crossbar in the first half, before the Geordie headed it away.
KYLE WALKER – 6
STARTED despite his underwhelming season at Manchester City and now on loan at AC Milan.
His passing was OK for the most part, albeit not super crisp.
But the veteran, earning his 94th cap, had an excellent moment shortly before half-time when he fired in a cross which Bellingham headed goalwards, only to be denied by an excellent Thomas Strakosha save.
Vital interception in the second half when sub Armando Broja had got in behind Burn.
EZRI KONSA – 7
MADE double figures for England caps with this appearance.
Was pretty solid alongside Burn, having plenty of the ball as all the England defensive players did.
Made an excellent last-ditch tackle after the ball was played in behind his centre-back partner in the final 20 minutes.
Interesting to see Konsa selected over Marc Guehi, given the Crystal Palace man was England’s best defender at the Euros.
DAN BURN – 7
ALMOST had another Wembley dream moment in the space of a week.
The giant defender was making his England debut six days on from helping Newcastle win their first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Burn’s bullet header from a corner sent the Magpies on their way to victory then – and he nearly repeated the trick here when nodding the ball against the crossbar in the first half.
He put his body on the line and made a number of brave blocks, including the one that looped up against his own woodwork.
Had more of a difficult time of it when the speedier Broja came off the bench in the second half, and also managed to kick Myrto Uzuni in the face with one whack clear.
England debutant Dan Burn hit the bar with a header[/caption]
MYLES LEWIS-SKELLY – STAR MAN 8
SIX months ago the 18-year-old had not even played for Arsenal.
Now he has not only made his senior debut for England – but has his first goal too.
The left-back raced in down the left to meet Bellingham’s inch-perfect pass, before poking it through the keeper’s legs.
Looked to have tears in his eyes as he celebrated his magic moment – and was accomplished in the rest of his display.
CURTIS JONES – 6
THE Liverpudlian was one of many success stories of youngsters brought through by Tuchel’s interim predecessor Lee Carsley.
Here he played a bit further forward at times, interchanging with Bellingham when allowed.
Had plenty of the ball as England dominated possession, though did give it away with a poor early pass.
Jones managed to wriggle in down the right on 14 minutes, but his decent cut-back was cleared.
Curtis Jones played the first 74 minutes for England[/caption]
DECLAN RICE – 7
SO many touches for the Arsenal man as England patiently probed for opportunities.
Gareth Southgate’s favourite system involved two pivots.
But Rice here was generally alone in his deep-lying role, suggesting Tuchel will be a bit more ambitious in his attacking approach.
Having said that, there were a lot of passes backwards from England, underpinning a dominant, if not overly exciting display.
Though one such Rice chip over to Harry Kane brought about the crucial second.
PHIL FODEN – 5
SOUTHGATE was never able to get the best out of Phil Foden, while Carsley only started him once in his six interim games.
The fact that the City star was starting here suggested Tuchel is keen to find a way of unlocking his talent.
But Foden struggled to make much of an impact again.
He was deployed wide right, and did try to dribble forward when he could, but with little effect.
JUDE BELLINGHAM – 8
ENGLAND’S best moments involved the Real Madrid superstar.
Albania’s low block was difficult to break down, but Bellingham’s inventive passing was Tuchel’s best method of doing so.
His delicious pass for Lewis-Skelly provided the opener, while he had a neat cross that Kane nodded wide near the hour.
Was denied a goal on two occasions by two top Strakosha saves, first from a toe-poke, then a close-range header.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
SEEMED to relish being back playing for England after his surprise recall by Tuchel.
Was full of energy and looked to spin in behind at every opportunity, even if he did not always receive the pass from his team-mates.
A beautiful diagonal pass over to Foden early on showed his technical quality.
England lacked willing runners at the Euros, but here, a motivated Rashford provided one.
Recalled attacker Marcus Rashford evades Ivan Balliu[/caption]
HARRY KANE – 7
REGULARLY dropped deep in the early stages, despite his manager saying in the week that he wanted his star man to stay up top.
It did allow him to display his impressive passing range though and he had a few quality balls through for Rashford.
Had a goal-bound shot brilliantly blocked by Albanian captain Berat Gjimshiti in the first half.
But Kane’s clinical finish into the far corner in the second half saw him reach 70 goals for his country – and his fifth in three games against this opposition.
SUBS
ANTHONY GORDON (on for Rashford, 74) – 6
Was left limping for the final few minutes after taking a whack on his hip in injury time. Concerningly, was down on the turf in pain as the final whistle went.
JARROD BOWEN (Foden, 74) – 6
Mainly ensured the 2-0 scoreline stayed that way.
MORGAN ROGERS (for Jones, 74) – 6
Played a bit deeper than he does for Aston Villa, filling in at No8 like Jones had.
JORDAN HENDERSON (for Rice, 82) – 6
ON for his first England appearance since 2023, and his 82nd in total, to help see it out. Crunched Adrion Pajaziti with a poor challenge.
REECE JAMES (for Lewis-Skelly, 90) – 6
Main role was allowing debutant Lewis-Skelly to get a standing ovation. First international in two years, coming on at left-back.
