READY SKELLY GO!

Teenager Myles starts Tuchel era with a bang

- JOHN CROSS

THIS was some start for Thomas Tuchel's brave new world with the Three Lions.

Tuchel's road to World Cup qualification began with a win over Albania, every big call just about came off and there was a wonderful Wembley fairytale mixed in for good measure.

Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, aged 18 years and 176 days, made history when he scored the first goal of the Tuchel era. Lewis-Skelly was the youngest player to score on his senior England debut, surpassing Marcus Rashford’s record of 18 years and 209 days.

It also provided the best possible feel-good story of Tuchel's first game in charge because the left-back was full of confidence and gave us hope for a bright new future.

Newcastle defender Dan Burn, 32, is at the other end of the scale and he is a good story after his Carabao Cup glory but, at times, he looked cumbersome and sluggish.

Marcus Rashford, making his first England appearance since March 2024, justified his selection while Jude Bellingham ran the show from the No.10 role.