Bellingham strop mars near perfect night for England

It was the return that came with a rebuke.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Jude Bellingham and Thomas Tuchel are reunited but, for the second time in a few months, the England manager found fault with the resident superstar's behaviour. This time, at least, he did not deem him “repulsive”. But the hint was that he had been too selfish. The way his comeback ended prompted Tuchel to criticise him again.

If England, already qualified for the World Cup, had little to play for besides a perfect record they sustained with an imperfect performance, Bellingham had plenty to gain, or indeed lose. A first start for his country since June could not be pronounced an unqualified success: not when Tuchel deemed his reaction to being removed egotistical.

The England manager had warned of the dangers of red cards that would incur a suspension for the World Cup. Bellingham was hauled off soon after he was booked for fouling Armando Broja. He was nonplussed. And Tuchel, in turn, was unimpressed. have players like Jude, who are so competitive, they will never like it. But he has to accept it. His friend is waiting on the sideline. We are about standards and level, and commitment to and respect to each other, so someone is waiting outside, and we will not change our decision just because someone is waving their arms.”