Danny Murphy slammed Emerson Royal for his defending at Fulham as Tottenham Hotspur beat their London rivals. Harry Kane secured Spurs a 1-0 win on the road on Monday night.
Tottenham bounced back from defeats to Arsenal and at Manchester City with Kane’s 16th goal of the Premier League season. But Royal had already angered Murphy with his efforts to restrict Willian and Antonee Robinson before the England striker hit the back of the net.
The Brazilian winger and United States left-back created regular chances on Royal’s side of the pitch during the opening exchanges. All too often the Cottagers could get in behind the Brazilian right-back and get crosses into Hugo Lloris’ box for Aleksandar Mitrovic to attack.
Willian attempted three crosses, per SofaScore, while Robinson attempted four at home to Tottenham. Yet it also recorded Royal as making four successful tackles and winning five of his nine ground duels. Willian did not win any from seven but Robinson won eight from 12.
Royal’s five ground duels won at Fulham were also more than the Tottenham defender has averaged over his 16 Premier League appearances this season. SofaScore records the 24-year-old as averaging 3.7 ground duels won per each outing and with a 63% success rate.
Danny Murphy slams Tottenham star Emerson Royal for his defending at Fulham
Royal has further averaged just two tackles per his games, so the Tottenham defender out-performed his usual standards at Fulham. But his early efforts on Monday angered former cottagers midfielder Murphy. The Brazilian also faces an uncertain future in north London.
“The defending from Emerson Royal there was a joke, ridiculous,” Murphy bemoaned on talkSPORT (23/01, 20:47). “I’m amazed how many crosses Fulham have got in 26 minutes. It’s just basic stuff.”
While Antonio Conte started Royal at Fulham, Inter Live reports the Tottenham boss would consider selling him this month. Spurs would also accept €25m (£22m) to sell their £62k-a-week ace. Even though he signed a five-year deal to join from Barcelona for £26m in 2021.
Monday’s match at Craven Cottage was further just Royal’s 13th start over 16 appearances from 18 available Premier League games this term. While he also penned his one and only assist for the campaign at home to Southampton on the opening day of the 2022/23 term.
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