REECE'S SET PIECE A TREAT

Sweet James strike is so tasty for Tuchel

- by JEREMY CROSS

REECE JAMES broke his England duck to reduce the chances of Thomas Tuchel being left spitting feathers.

James celebrated his first start since 2022 by scoring a stunning free-kick to help England limp to an unconvincing win over Latvia in this World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

Harry Kane and a deflected effort from Eberechi Eze helped spare England's blushes.

But these - and especially James' first England goal - were the few highlights on another frustrating night for new boss Tuchel.

And such is the life of an international manager, the German now has until June to sit and stew over how he makes the Three Lions look like a team capable of winning a World Cup.

This was always going to be a game in which England were on a hiding to nothing.

But despite Tuchel warning that his side had to win ugly, he saw them almost forget the winning bit until late on.