Eric Dier gave away an early penalty for Tottenham against Monaco.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier fouls Monaco’s Fabinho for a penalty
Tottenham Hotspur’s big Champions League match against Monaco got off to the worst possible start as they gave away a penalty.
Eric Dier’s challenge on Fabinho brought down the full-back, before Radamel Falcao then saw his limp spot kick saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Spurs survived the half and early onslaught to get to half-time level, which certainly did not look likely after Dier’s challenge.
The England international was savaged by BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand at half-time.
Ferdinand said: “Clumsy is the best way to describe that without swearing. They are lucky to have Lloris.”
Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris saves a penalty from Monaco’s Radamel Falcao
Tottenham’s luck did not keep up long defensively after half-time, conceding within two minutes of the restart.
In Eric Dier’s defence, he was not selected in his preferred midfield role, and he was starting at centre-back alongside Kevin Wimmer.
With Kieran Trippier at right-back and Danny Rose at times neglecting his defensive duties to bomb forward, it was no surprise to see the back four make such a crucial mistake just minutes in.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier looks dejected after conceding a penalty
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