Thomas Tuchel’s honeymoon period as England manager is well and truly over as boos greeted Tuesday’s shock 3-1 friendly loss to Senegal at the City Ground.
Three days after being jeered following a poor World Cup qualification win against minnows Andorra, Tuesday’s alarming display raised further questions a year out from their bid for glory in North America.
Harry Kane had got England off to a fine start against Senegal by continuing his run of scoring in every game under Tuchel, who was critical of his side’s efforts in Barcelona and spoke of his desire for the team to play with a smile.
But happiness was in short supply in Nottingham, where Anthony Gordon wasted a glorious chance shortly before Ismaila Sarr capitalised on poor defending by debutant Trevoh Chalobah and a sleeping Kyle Walker.
Senegal, ranked 19th in the world, were always going to be Tuchel’s toughest test since taking charge and Habib Diarra went on to fire through the legs of Dean Henderson, who had made some important saves on his second start.
Substitute Jude Bellingham thought he had levelled late on, only for Levi Colwill to be adjudged to have handled upon VAR review, and second-half introduction Cheikh Sabaly added another for the visitors in stoppage time.