England fans make Jude Bellingham feelings clear as Thomas Tuchel uncovers another gem

ENGLAND 2-0 SERBIA: Thomas Tuchel’s men are still to concede in World Cup qualifying and continued their 100 percent record as Arsenal pair Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze found the net in the comfortable win

The biggest cheer of the night greeted the arrival of Jude Bellingham. Well, Thomas Tuchel did want the Wembley crowd to make more noise and the England fans had their say when he came on as a 65th minute substitute.

While Bellingham has lost his automatic starting place, the Real Madrid star’s popularity has never wavered with the supporters who were crying out for some world class quality on a rainy, grey night. They want the glamour, five star quality and stardust that surrounds England’s biggest and best player. And it was hard to disagree.

This was another routine win. Seven straight wins in this campaign, seven clean sheets and a goal scored by England’s magnificent No.7 Bukayo Saka.

Obviously it was a goal made by the Arsenal set-piece factory as Declan Rice’s free kick was not cleared and then Saka scored with a precision volley. Set piece again, ole, ole, as the Arsenal fans chant.

Then another Arsenal star, Eberechi Eze, rounded it off with a great finish in the 90th minute. Bellingham and then fellow substitute Phil Foden were involved in the build-up.

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England could do with a few set-pieces next summer. They may also have uncovered another gem in Nico O’Reilly as the Manchester City left back passed his audition for England’s problem position.

Let’s be clear: Morgan Rogers – starting in place of his great pal Bellingham – did nothing wrong either and was busy, lively and determined.

But, come on, we’d all be lying if we said that we did not all have our eyes on Bellingham. He has kept the No.10 shirt in the list of players in this squad because surely he will also regain the starting spot sooner or later.

All the talk of Bellingham has done Tuchel’s head in because he hates the focus on one player but that is what happens when, for most of an hour, it was a bit flat and low key.

Tuchel criticised the Wembley crowd for being too quiet and not supportive enough when they beat Wales last month. And, in truth, they were even quieter this time with far more paper aeroplanes flying about. It was slow, sluggish and frustrating in the opening 25 minutes. Marcus Rashford miscontrolled the ball and it went into touch. That was the story of his night and another opportunity wasted.

A cynic might suggest that keeper Jordan Pickford only went to the floor for treatment so that Tuchel could give a hasty team talk on the touchline to liven up his players.

Sure enough, the pep talk worked. Declan Rice’s free kick was met by Serbia keeper Pedrag Rajkovic’s unconvincing punch, O’Reilly’s shot was blocked but it fell to Saka who guided the ball back across goal and into the far corner with a precise left foot volley.

It was a sumptuous finish. It was also Saka’s 14th goal for England on his 47th cap which makes him Arsenal’s leading scorer for England, surpassing club legend Cliff Bastin who also scored 13.

Make no mistake, Saka will be absolutely crucial for England’s World Cup chances next summer. He is one of the first names on the England team sheet and his goal served as a reminder of his quality.

England were in cruise control but they began to splutter in the second half. Serbia provided a wake-up call as Filip Kostic’s low cross but Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic back heeled wide of the far post.

Tuchel then looked to his bench to liven things up. On came Bellingham with Foden, Eze and Jordan Henderson.

England then really purred in the closing stages as Bellingham and Foden went through the gears. Eze hit the bar even before he scored.

Bellingham then won a challenge, charged forward before Foden’s lay-off allowed Eze to sweep into the top corner. What a way to finish.