Tottenham Hotspur crashed to defeat at Leeds United on Saturday afternoon following a dismal display at Elland Road.
Spurs fell behind as Stuart Dallas scored from close range, profiting from slack defending by both Eric Dier and Sergio Reguilon.
Son Heung-min equalised for Spurs, but Patrick Bamford restored Leeds’ advantage before Rodrigo wrapped up a 3-1 win for the Whites.
The defeat is a dent to any hopes of Ryan Mason landing the Spurs job permanently, and means Spurs didn’t capitalise on Leicester City losing on Friday night.
Once again, it was Tottenham’s poor defending that really damaged them, and Alan Shearer was particularly irked by Eric Dier’s performance.
Dier lost Patrick Bamford for the second Leeds goal, but it was the first goal that left Shearer baffled by Dier’s defending.
Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day (08/05, 22:58), questioned just what on earth Dier was doing as he allowed Jack Harrison’s cross to go past him, startling Reguilon and allowing Stuart Dallas a goal.
Shearer urged Dier to just get rid of the ball rather than take a risk, and Spurs fans probably agree after his baffling decision-making.
“What on earth is Dier doing? He’s in a good position – clear it! You cannot gamble and let that ball go and hope that there’s nobody behind you, you have to clear it!” said Shearer.
Dier was out of favour under Jose Mourinho towards the end of his time as manager, with Joe Rodon taking on a bigger role.
Mason has brought Dier back in though, and that may be something he looks to change after Saturday’s defeat.
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