Jermaine Jenas has blasted Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris during commentary on BT Sport in the first half of a 2-0 win over Marseille – criticising the Frenchman for punching the ball away inside the Spurs penalty area, despite no pressure.
Spurs secured a 2-0 win without playing anywhere near what the level they are capable of. A frustrating first half saw Spurs come out at half-time with more intensity; Chancel Mbemba was sent off. A last-man tackle on Son Heung-min.
Marseille reverted to a low block and Spurs eventually found a way through. A gorgeous, chipped cross from Ivan Perisic saw Richarlison power a header past Paul Lopez – his first Spurs goal. His second came moments later.
A deeper cross from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg saw Richarlison outmuscle a defender, before using all of his neck muscles to power another header into the net. But Spurs looked nervous in the first half, and Lloris was a prime example.
A cross came into the box during the first half, but Lloris was unchallenged. An easy catch for the World Cup winner. But he chose to punch despite being unchallenged, plunging Spurs back into danger. Jenas was not impressed.
“I don’t know what he’s thinking there, he’s just got to catch the ball, let things settle down. This is ridiculous, no pressure, no trouble. It’s a shocking punch as well,” Jenas told BT Sport while co-commentating on the 2-0 win.
Jenas blasted Tottenham captain Lloris for punch against Marseille
A solid win for Spurs, who remain unbeaten in their first seven games. Five wins, two draws. A third clean sheet. Antonio Conte has got his side churning out results, even when they are not playing at their best.
Spurs are no longer, ‘Spursy’. Yes, they were poor in the first half. But they were still solid. Conte alluded to that in his post-match verdict, stating Tottenham only allowed one shot on target – a long-range effort from Matteo Guendouzi.
In the second half, the intensity stepped up and the game changed. Spurs took advantage, to the delight of Richarlison. It gives them the perfect platform to go on and top the group – something they are expected to do.
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