Jermaine Jenas has praised the movement of Richarlison after the Tottenham no.9 scored the only goal of the game to the relief of the Spurs crowd, beating Marseille 1-0. Spurs were becoming frustrated, after Chancel Mbemba’s red card.
Richarlison, 25, was handed only his second start for Antonio Conte’s side after his £60million move from Everton. But Spurs had failed to really test Pau Lopez up until the Brazil international powered Spurs into the lead on 75 minutes.
Mbemba was sent off just after the restart after taking out Son Heung-min as Marseille’s last man. Marseille were defending astutely, but it was an Ivan Perisic cross that Richarlison powered into the net. A wonderful header.
His first goal, after hitting the post and having another disallowed on Saturday. Moments later, Richarlison had his second as Spurs eventually cruised to a 2-0 win. Jenas gave his verdict on the goals as co-commentator on BT Sport.
On the first goal, he said: “I thought Perisic was going to shoot when he cut inside. But if you just look at Richarlison, lovely bit of movement and that’s not easy by the way. Using all of the neck muscles.
“Enough power to get it past Pau Lopez. Big, big moment for Richarlison,” Jenas said. On his second: “Very similar one to his first goal, a brilliant header. Absolutely sensational. He wants it. Smashes it into the far corner.”
Jenas has praised movement of Tottenham no.9 Richarlison
What a way to mark your Champions League, and European debut. Richarlison was emphatic when finally given the chance. His first, a golden chance but he had to generate the power all by himself – given Perisic’s cross was a chip.
The second one was symbolic of his aggression. Outmuscling Marseille defenders, the ball looked like it was slightly over the top of him. But his leap, and his timing, saw him generate necessary power to make it 2-0 to Tottenham.
A wonderful display, and he deserved the goals. His work rate, alone, deserved the headlines. With Son Heung-min struggling on the left, and Dejan Kulusevski impressing off the bench, Antonio Conte has a decision to make.
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