Joe Hart dubs Richarlison ‘pest’ after what he did in Tottenham win vs Crystal Palace
Richarlison was a massive handful in Tottenham’s much-needed win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Tottenham ran out 1-0 victors at Selhurst Park after Archie Gray’s first senior goal helped the Lilywhites take all three points back to North London.
Richarlison was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet after having two goals ruled out for offside by VAR, but he did get the all-important assist for Gray’s first-half goal.
The win has propelled Spurs up to 11th in the Premier League, and while it’s not an ideal position for Thomas Frank, it’s certainly an improvement.
Joe Hart was a massive fan of Richarlison’s performance, and new stats from the game suggest exactly why the striker deserves his praise.
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Joe Hart praises Richarlison for Tottenham’s winning goal
Dominic Solanke is currently injured, which has only benefited Richarlison‘s playing time.
The Brazilian is now on 10 goal contributions after flicking a header into the path of Gray from a corner, and it’s no surprise to see him finally receive his flowers.
Not only was Richarlison winning everything in the air, but he completed 100 per cent of his dribbles, and was key in creating goal-scoring opportunities for his Tottenham team-mates with three key passes.
While speaking on the BBC‘s Match of the Day, Hart detailed why he loved the number nine’s display so much.
Hart said: “When you want people to roll their sleeves up and play, that’s where people like Richarlison come to the fore. Now, there’s no doubt about it; if Solanke’s fit, he’s leading the line, but this season he’s just been a pest, hasn’t he?
“He’s got good numbers; he’s a real threat when he gets in. He makes it difficult. But look, tough game, scrappy, he’s really strong there [for the goal], flicks it on for Gray, and he gets his big moment.”
Hart kept highlighting moments where Richarlison was a nuisance for Oliver Glasner’s backline, as he was not only impressed with the forward’s contribution to Gray’s winner.
Richarlison now among elite Premier League club
Richarlison has started just 11 games in the league this season, but has a tremendous goal return of seven.
Not only that, but the 28-year-old has three assists and was obviously unfortunate not to have another two goals to his name from the match.
Regardless, the assist has now put him joint-third in the Premier League for the most goal contributions, sitting on 10 with Morgan Rogers and Hugo Ekitike.
Erling Haaland is leading the way with 23, but Antoine Semenyo, Bruno Fernandes, and Igor Thiago are the only individuals ahead of Richarlison in the charts.
Not many would have expected the striker to have had such a great season so far.