Tuchel's England up and running as Lewis-Skelly scores on debut

LONDON :England debutant Myles Lewis-Skelly got new coach Thomas Tuchel's reign up and running as the 18-year-old scored the first goal in a 2-0 home victory against Albania in their World Cup qualifying Group K opener on Friday.

The Arsenal left back, who along with Newcastle United's Dan Burn was handed a first cap in Tuchel's maiden game in charge, slotted home in the 20th minute at a packed Wembley.

There was much for Tuchel to ponder in a far from fluent display and it took England until the 77th minute to make the points safe when captain Harry Kane's precise finish ensured his side began their path to next year's finals with a win.

Burn came close to making it a dream night for the debutants in the first half when he headed against the crossbar.

Tuchel's England team are back in action at Wembley on Monday when they host Latvia in their second qualifier while Albania host group outsiders Andorra.

Lewis-Skelly only made his first Premier League start in December but his rapid progress caught the eye of Tuchel and he was given his chance as England set off on their latest quest to win their first trophy since 1966.

It took him only 20 minutes to repay the faith as Jude Bellingham turned on the edge of the area and slid a pass through for Lewis-Skelly to shoot low past Thomas Strakosha.

He became the youngest player to score on his senior England debut, taking the record away from Marcus Rashford who was also 18 when he scored against Australia in 2016.

Tuchel sprang something of a surprise by recalling Rashford to the squad and then giving him his first England appearance for a year but he was a largely peripheral figure.

England racked up 437 passes in the first half - the most recorded by data analysts Opta in any first