England suffered an embarrassing home defeat to Senegal at the City Ground as Anthony Gordon was replaced before the hour mark - but things did not improve after that
Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher
Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher of England react during the international friendly match between England and Senegal
(Image: (Photo by Molly Darlington - The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon could only watch on from the bench as England slipped to defeat against Senegal on a tough night for Thomas Tuchel and the Three Lions.
The Scouser had started on the left wing at the City Ground and tested himself against Monaco star Krepin Diatta. It started well for Gordon as he set Harry Kane free down the centre in the early stages, but the England skipper was crowded out.
On seven minutes Eberechi Eze made a piercing run before Gordon's shot was saved by Edouard Mendy before Kane swept home his 73rd England goal. More good work from Gordon on 10 minutes resulted in the left winger forcing a corner on his side of the field.
Despite England being indebted to two fine saves from Dean Henderson, Gordon was causing havoc again for Senegal this time after latching on to a Kane pass before being chopped down by Diatta, who was booked for his trouble.
Gordon suffered a horror miss on 27 minutes when Kyle Walker's cross took a slight deflection and sat up invitingly for the Newcastle star but he somehow put it wide at the back post. Gordon could only look on agonisingly at the turf knowing he should have done better.
It was the turning point of the evening for both Gordon and England.
TV replays showed Diatta steaming in behind him but better anticipation from Gordon and it would have been 2-0. And it would cost England as they switched off and Ismaila Sarr capitalised after sloppy play from Kyle Walker.
The sides went in at the break all square and Gordon returned for the second half for a chance to get that miss out of his system. However, it took the German boss just 11 second half minutes to get ruthless as Gordon went off for Morgan Gibbs-White, much to the approval of the Forest-heavy crowd.
It was a performance that offered Tuchel a glimpse of Gordon's capabilities but on the flip side one that was arguably not fully taken. As former Newcastle defender and TalkSPORT pundit said on Tuesday afternoon: "You can play yourself into contention in these games, and play yourself out."
What category does Gordon go in after this one?
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Moments after Gordon had gone off, Senegal snatched the lead just after the hour mark after Habib Diarra was given the freedom of the right-hand side before slipping it through the legs of Henderson.
Tuchel sent on Jude Bellingham and Noni Madueke in a frantic bid to spare an deflating and worrying result. And Bellingham thought he'd delivered from Madueke's corner but a VAR check from French referee Stephanie Frapport chalked the effort off after a handball from Levi Colwill.
There were wild scenes as Senegal made it 3-1 in stoppage time as sub Cheikh Sabaly was slipped in and made no mistake to inflict full punishment on a shoddy England defence.
Agent Burn gets to work
The Newcastle hero did not start the game and nor did one of their main targets James Trafford. But Blyth lad Burn could be spotted chatting to the Burnley stopper before the game as the players had a pre-match stroll at the City Ground.
It didn't exactly look like a deep and meaningful conversation but with Trafford thought to be keen on the move to St James' Park it can only be deemed a good sign as the pair built up their rapport levels ahead of a potential big move for the Cockermouth-born star.
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