Tottenham Hotspur have made it three wins out of three in the Europa League as they saw off AZ on Thursday night. It wasn’t a vintage performance by Spurs, but they got the job done, courtesy of Richarlison’s 53rd-minute penalty.
AZ’s Maxim Dekker kicked out at Lucas Bergvall in the box to gift Tottenham a spot kick early in the second half. Richarlison, making his first start of the season, was seen arguing with James Maddison over who would take the penalty.
Maddison, who captained Spurs on the night, ultimately allowed his teammate to take the spot kick. It proved an inspired decision, as Richarlison confidently struck the ball down the middle for the winner.
However, Glenn Hoddle was not happy with what the £175,000-a-week (Salarysport) forward did. Glenn Hoddle slates ‘unprofessional’ Richarlison after Tottenham penalty debacle
Hoddle, speaking to TNT Sports after the game, felt it was a “bit unprofessional” for Richarlison to take the ball off Maddison.
“The fact Richarlison scored [the penalty] is great and that is difference between winning the game,” he began, as per BBC Sport. “But I don’t know, it is a bit unprofessional.
“If he’s taken off or he’s injured then there might be a scenario where you leave it to the players, but it only works out if you score.”
What James Maddison and Ange Postecoglou made of Richarlison actions
Maddison, speaking to the press at full-time, said he was happy to let Richarlison take the spot kick as it gave him a chance to boost his confidence and possibly kickstart his season.
“Initially we both wanted to take it,” he said. “I’m a senior player, I was captain today, I was going to take it, but I thought Richarlison has come back from an injury, it’s difficult for a striker – a first goal gives confidence.
“It was a split second decision to let him take it. [It’s] leadership, obviously I wore the armband but even if I wasn’t the captain I would still like to think I would make a decision that is best for the team. Hopefully that gives him a big boost.”
Meanwhile, Postecoglou simply said: “As long as they score mate I couldn’t care less. As long as they work that out.”
