Consistency is the real key for United winger

ANTHONY Gordon was ushered through the mixed zone by an FA official at the City Ground on Tuesday night knowing that things could have turned out very different when picking up his 11th cap.

- By LEE RYDER Chief Newcastle writer [e-mail] @lee_ryder

His performance against Senegal was on par with his second full season on Tyneside, with the left winger exploding on to the scene early, sparkling for a while and then fizzling away. Thomas Tuchel handed him the opportunity to impress and in some ways he took it.

But as the sun set and a full moon reflected off the River Trent in Nottingham, there's no doubt the Scouser was looking back on what might have been.

Could he have done better with the shot that hit Edouard Mendy but was swept home by Harry Kane?

Maybe, but that didn't matter as he created another moment that frightened Senegal. Missing a gilt-edged chance at the back post should not be a surprise, but there is competition on the left flank, and this may be one of the few windows Gordon had to shine.

However, the turning point of the game proved to be Gordon's missed attempt at the back stick.

And even though England capitulated in the second half when he was having a breather, having gone off on 58 minutes, this audition did not end as planned as Tuchel made the change earlier than perhaps first planned.