‘Gift from the sky’ Elliot Anderson keeps England running as Rogers makes case

Midfielder covered the most ground in England’s win over Norway as Morgan Rogers’ cameo impresses Tuchel

Elliot Anderson can be forgiven for needing a bit of additional time to recover after his exertions in the cauldron of Miami. As Manchester City’s new record signing reflected on England’s extra-time victory over Norway with his fellow Geordie, John Murray, from BBC Radio 5 Live, there was no hiding his pure exhaustion. “It was so tough. So tough,” said Anderson, who covered 14.8km in stifling humidity – the most of any England player, beating his captain, Harry Kane, by a few hundred metres. “I was cramping up a few times [in extra time]. But the fighting spirit that the lads have is amazing to be part of. The fans should be proud of the amount of fight and determination we showed.”

While Jude Bellingham stole the headlines on and off the pitch, an alumnus of the famous Wallsend Boys Club, which has produced eight senior England men’s internationals, including Alan Shearer and Michael Carrick, enjoyed probably his best game since being promoted from the under-21s last summer. That was despite being deployed in at least four roles during the match as Thomas Tuchel kept tinkering with his midfield after withdrawing Declan Rice at half-time because he was struggling with injury and illness.

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