What Thomas Tuchel did with Anthony Gordon in Riga - and what it could mean in future

ENGLAND confirmed their place at next summer’s World Cup finals with two qualifying matches to spare as they thrashed Latvia 5-0 in Riga.

Anthony Gordon opened the scoring midway through the first half, Harry Kane claimed a quickfire double just before the interval, Latvian defender Maksim Tonisevs made it 4-0 when he put the ball into his own net midway through the second half and substitute Eberechi Eze completed the scoring with five minutes left.

What were the main talking points to emerge from England’s win?

GORDON PROVIDES A TONIC

England dominated the opening 25 minutes of play against a predictably poor Latvian team, but were struggling to make a breakthrough as they repeatedly let themselves down with some poor balls into the 18-yard box.

Then Anthony Gordon stepped up and scored the goal that set England on their way to the win that confirmed their World Cup place.

It was a cracker, with the Newcastle winger racing clear down the left touchline, cutting inside his marker and curling a brilliant finish into the far corner. It was Gordon’s first international goal since he scored against Ireland last November, and formed the highlight of an impressive all-round display that helped strengthen his hold on a starting place on the left of the England attack. Gordon successfully completed all of his dribbles and 30 of the 34 passes he made.

Tuchel has a number of different options for a spot that was repeatedly a problem position under Gareth Southgate. Cole Palmer could play there once he regains full fitness, Phil Foden has been stationed there in the past with England, as has Jack Grealish, who is starting to look reborn at Everton.

Gordon has successfully established himself as the first-choice pick though, with Tuchel clearly an admirer of his performances in a Newcastle shirt. The England boss celebrated passionately on the touchline as Gordon found the bottom corner and gave the winger a big hug when he took him off in the 70th minute with the game won. Tuchel has put his trust in Gordon, and the winger has repaid that faith.

KANE’S BACK – AND AS IMPORTANT AS EVER

Harry Kane missed last week’s friendly win over Wales because of a calf issue, handing Ollie Watkins a rare opportunity to start in an England shirt. It is hardly Watkins’ fault that his night was prematurely curtailed when he collided with a post, especially as he had already scored with a close-range strike, but the evening provided another reminder of the scale of the drop-off if Kane is missing.

Yes, England’s all-time record goalscorer has looked laboured at each of the last two major tournaments. He still scored in them both, though, and if England are to achieve anything at the World Cup next summer, they need Kane fit and firing.

The 32-year-old remains as hungry and committed as ever, starting this evening’s game even though it would have been easy for him to rest up given the limited threat posed by the opposition, and the fact Tuchel selected him despite his calf issue and heavy workload highlights the extent to which the England boss is happy to rely on his captain.

Kane’s 111th England appearance brought his 75th international goal, a typically excellent low finish, drilled into the bottom corner after the Latvian defence had presented him with the ball.

Goal number 76 arrived a couple of minutes later, with Kane converting from the penalty spot after his shirt had been tugged in the area.

What happens if Kane is not available next summer? The reality is there is not really a Plan B. And nor is there going to be one unless one of England’s support strikers has a sensational season. Kane starts as long as he is fit. Then the rest of England’s attacking jigsaw slots in around him.

DAN MISSES OUT

Having been an unused substitute in last week’s friendly win over Wales, Dan Burn would have been hoping to get the nod to start for England in Riga. Instead, the Newcastle centre-half found himself back on the bench in the Latvian capital as Thomas Tuchel opted to start with Ezri Konsa and John Stones at the heart of his back four. He came on in the 70th minute, replacing Stones, but by that stage, the game was long since finished as a contest.

Assuming Konsa and Stones are fit next summer, both players will expect to be part of the squad Tuchel selects for the World Cup finals, with Marc Guehi another central defender who looks assured of a place on the plane to North America.

That makes Burn the fourth-choice centre-half at the moment, and while he would probably make the cut if Tuchel was to select his World Cup squad tomorrow, the North-Easterner needs a strong season with Newcastle to ensure he remains on the right side of the cut line.

The fact Burn can slot in at left-back if required should help him in the battle for a World Cup spot, along with the lack of obvious alternatives. Harry Maguire’s international days are surely over and Fikayo Tomori also looks to have dropped out of the picture. Jarell Quansah, who was forced to pull out of the current squad through injury, could be one to watch though, particularly if he has a strong season in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen. Burn faces a battle to keep himself in Tuchel’s squad.

ENGLAND FANS MAKE THEIR POINT

Thomas Tuchel criticised England’s fans last week, bemoaning the lack of atmosphere inside Wembley as his side beat Wales in a friendly. Safe to say, his words did not go down well with the national team’s hardcore support.

Just a couple of minutes had gone in Riga’s Dauvagas Stadium when the away support packed into an open-air stand behind one of the goals broke into a chorus of “We’ll sing when we want, we’ll sing when we want, Thomas Tuchel, we’ll sing if we want”.

That was quickly followed by a burst of “Are we loud enough for you?” and “Our support is f***** s***.” Getting soaked to the skin, on the far side of Europe, the commitment of England’s travelling supporters could not be questioned.

Tuchel felt strong enough in his position to criticise the fans last week, but taking on your own supporters is rarely a good idea. This was the England fans hitting back.

What Thomas Tuchel did with Anthony Gordon in Riga – and what it could mean in future

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