Thanks to Matthijs de Ligt's last-gasp equaliser, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium played host to a 2-2 draw between Thomas Frank's side and Ruben Amorim-managed Manchester United on the weekend. And Gary Lineker, after the two teams shared the spoils in the capital, believes it's high time for a 'stupid' Premier League rule to be changed.
Bryan Mbeumo, the Premier League's Player of the Month in October, drew first blood in the 32nd minute as he nodded in Amad's teasing cross; and it then took until the 84th minute for the next goal to go in. Brilliantly, Mathys Tel turned on a sixpence in the United box and shot past Senne Lammens before Richarlison flicked on Wilson Odobert's late on.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Manchester United are the first team to score first, go behind, but then avoid defeat in consecutive Premier League matches since Manchester City in May-to-August 2012.
As the clock ticked towards its conclusion, those associated with the home side assumed that three points were on the cards – but that was until ex-Ajax captain De Ligt stepped up to the plate. At the back post, the towering Dutch defender turned in Bruno Fernandes' cross in the concluding seconds of the affair, thus saving a point on the road.
Lineker Laments 'Stupid' Premier League Rule, Calls For it to be Changed
Before De Ligt rose highest at the back stick to collective cheers from the travelling contigent, former Everton and Watford forward Richarlison thought he had grabbed all three points for the north Londoners – who are now sitting fifth in the 2025/26 Premier League table – as he wheeled off in celebration by removing his shirt.
United's Manuel Ugarte was the only player keeping the Brazilian onside as he flicked on – internationally or not – Odobert's outside-of-the-box shot towards Lammens' goal. Those in white were sent into pandemonium and Richarlison whipped off his shirt and threw it in the air before knee-sliding towards a section of home supporters.
Despite being on the brink of picking up their fourth home Premier League win of 2025, Richarlison's name went into the book of referee Samuel Barrott. And although striker-turned-pundit Lineker believes the ex-Watford man's post-goal antics were a 'bit daft', he also added that it's probably time for Premier League chiefs to revise the rules.
"Richarlison thought he'd won the game for Tottenham, didn't he? Ripping off his shirt, and then obviously they get extra time for that, and then they're scoring that extra time," Lineker – who famously never got booked across his entire football career – said before suggesting that goalscorers should rethink their celebrations.
"I think it's a stupid law to get a yellow card, and obviously, if it happens in injury time, you get extended injury time. But also, even though it's a silly law, you know what it is, and I just don't understand why. I know you can get overexcited, but you can get overexcited by doing something else other than rip your bloody shirt off. It's a bit daft, but I get it. It's a big goal for him, and he thought at the time he'd won the game. But I mean, honestly, footballers, Micah."
Micah Richards, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, chimed in to suggest that he understands why Richarlison let his emotions get the better of him. "You know what? I can't even grumble at the fact that he's taking off his shirt, because he's playing it in real life," the ex-defender said. "I feel that way on Fantasy Football, so I understand you."