Tottenham Hotspur boss Cristian Stellini has heaped praise on wing back Emerson Royal after he excelled against Manchester City on Sunday.
Tottenham conjured up another victory over Manchester City on Sunday, continuing their great home run against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Harry Kane’s first-half goal was enough to win it for Tottenham, who ultimately gave Arsenal a helping hand with Sunday’s result.
City just can’t seem to get a win – or even a goal – away at Tottenham, failing to register either since Tottenham moved into their new stadium in 2019.
Pep Guardiola’s men just aren’t clicking right now and Tottenham took advantage with a superb performance, standing firm even when Cristian Romero was sent off.
Kane is understandably taking the headlines after becoming Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer, but others were outstanding too.
Cristian Stellini hails Tottenham’s Emerson Royal
One of the standout performances came from Tottenham wing back Emerson.
Much has been said about Emerson’s displays since arriving from Barcelona for £26million in 2021.
The Brazilian was recruited as a right back in a four-man defence but has ended up playing as a wing back under Antonio Conte.
That has been an awkward fit at the best of times and has ultimately tempted Tottenham back into the market.
Pedro Porro joined Tottenham from Sporting on deadline day but was left on the bench against City.
Emerson kept his place and turned in a rousing performance having battled with Jack Grealish all day long.
Emerson was defensively solid throughout and also showed quality going forward, showing that he can really battle with Porro moving forward.
Praise has been deservedly coming in for Emerson after Sunday’s display and interim Tottenham boss Stellini – taking charge as Conte recovers from having his gallbladder removed – joined in.
Speaking to Football London, Stellini hailed Emerson as one of the most important Tottenham players come the end of the game against City.
Stellini added that Emerson showed what a good player he can be whilst adding that he needed time to get back to his best after being sent off against Arsenal in October.
“Yes Emerson was one of the most important. In the end of the game he had two or three situations and he showed his desire like all the team,” said Stellini. “It is important to have different players in the same position with different skills and you use the player when you need. Emerson showed today he is a good player.”
“I think that in the Arsenal game in October, he didn’t deserve a red card and he lose his place in that moment. He lost his place in that moment, a not good red card, it was not a good decision, it create for Emerson a problem and he need time to find that place because for the first six games of the season he was this player,” he added.
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