Sports
Frank must drop Spurs star who lost 11 duels
Tottenham Hotspur failed to beat Sunderland on Sunday evening and thus failed to secure a winning start to 2026 on home turf. There were positives to take, but this was a continuation of the struggles down N17 that have plagued the club for some time now.
The draw at Brentford on New Year’s Day was dire. Tottenham drew 0-0 in what was undoubtedly one of the most uninspiring contests of the campaign, and it was crucial that improvements were made here.
But the boos chorused across N17 at full-time, with Thomas Frank and his system still leaving much to be desired.
Spurs’ performance vs Sunderland
In the first half, Tottenham played with an intensity and hunger to score. They came swinging out of the blocks, pressing and battling. But this juice ran out after the interval, and Sunderland put paid to the hosts through Brian Brobbey’s thumping finish after 80 minutes, cancelling out Ben Davies’ goal and securing a point on the road.
In the second half, Spurs only created an xG total of 0.28, underscoring an ongoing creative issue.
Expected Goals (xG) is a metric designed to measure the probability of a shot resulting in a goal.
While Frank’s side moved toward higher ground here, it wasn’t a fantastic display, and a trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League before an FA Cup clash with Aston Villa must bear dividends for a club at a low ebb.
The forwards need to do more. Mohammed Kudus trudged off injured after only 15 minutes had been played, and that’s sure to be a significant worry for a side in desperate need of the Ghanaian’s pace and energy down the flank.
But more is needed from Kudus’ attacking peers, and there was one in particular who must be dropped after another uninspiring display.
Frank’s Spurs forward may be dropped
Tottenham need to do better with their playmaking, and that is the crux of Frank’s struggle this season, perceived as an overly pragmatic manager whose philosophy is at odds with Spurs’ own: To Dare Is To Do.
But he needs more from his forwards, and it was another poor day at the office for Richarlison, who was criticised by podcaster Jonny Blain for looking like he was “running with weights in his boots” against the Black Cats.
The 28-year-old has been Tottenham’s main man at number nine this season, and while he’s posted eight goals from 29 matches in all competitions, too often he has drifted through matches.
This wasn’t one of those days, but Richarlison proved ineffective in the final third, and given the lack of creativity buzzing about Frank’s outfit, a more reliable marksman is needed, for sure.
|
Richarlison vs Sunderland |
|
|---|---|
|
Match Stats |
# |
|
Minutes played |
90′ |
|
Goals |
0 |
|
xG |
0.21 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Touches |
35 |
|
Shots (on target) |
3 (1) |
|
Accurate passes |
10/12 (83%) |
|
Chances created |
0 |
|
Crosses |
0/2 |
|
Dribbles |
1/2 |
|
Duels won |
6/17 |
|
Data via Sofascore |
|
Richarlison ended up losing 11 duels and lacked synergy throughout the contest, with football.london acknowledging his heavy but fruitless involvement. He was given a 5/10 match rating.
Richarlison ended up with fewer touches than the goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (44), who was relatively quiet throughout the clash, only making two saves in total.
It is not the centre-forward’s job to be involved in the thick of the action, minute by minute, but Richarlison is expected to make things happen in the final third, and given that he was wasteful when placed in front of goal while failing to create a chance for his attacking teammates, it was one to forget for the Brazilian.
Signing a striker is sure to be a priority for the Lilywhites in 2026, and even if Richarlison keeps his place for the latter half of the campaign (with Dominic Solanke plagued by injuries), an upgrade must be found as soon as possible.
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