“It’s very, very poor”- Peter Crouch criticises Tottenham Hotspur star for role in Sporting CP’s goal

Peter Crouch bashes Emerson Royal for poor defending in Sporting CP’s second goal against Tottenham Hotspur

Emerson Royal has started each game for Tottenham Hotspur this season, be it in the Premier League or the UEFA Champions League.

The Brazil international has had a mixed time since signing from Barcelona under then-Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo last summer. However, he has been decent this season, especially in the games before yesterday night.

The 23-year-old right-wing-back was at fault for being dribbled past by Sporting CP substitute Arthur Gomes, who then slotted home the game’s second goal in stoppage time. The Portuguese side registered a 2-0 win at home to move to the top of their UCL group.

Speaking on BT Sport (h/t the Express) after the game with Glenn Hoddle and Jermaine Jenas, Crouch was critical of Emerson’s defending. The former Spurs and Liverpool striker also implied that Cristian Romero was also poor for being dribbled past by Arthur as easily as Emerson was:

“From a defensive point of view it’s very, very poor. Awful defending. There’s so many factors there. You have got to show him the line you have got a two-v-one situation and he breezes past both of them.”

Spurs would be regretting the chances that came their way but they didn’t take. They were in great positions to score in the 2nd half, especially via Emerson in the 48th minute and a 71st-minute cross from Ivan Perisic that fizzed past Harry Kane.

This should not deflect the attention away from Emerson’s dependable performances this season. He was not really at his best throughout the course of the game but neither was Son Heung-min or even the ever-reliable Kane.

More Tottenham News:

• Spurs Transfer News: Bayern Munich chief Hasan Salihamidzic denies contact with Tottenham star Harry Kane
• Manager Antonio Conte claims Tottenham Hotspur didn’t deserve to lose against Sporting CP
• Transfer News: Lucas Moura could leave Tottenham Hotspur as a free agent

Emerson would hope to retain his place in the starting XI when the Lilywhites host Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend before the international break.