Tottenham fans hail ‘simply sensational’ Pape Matar Sarr after encouraging performance despite defeat against AC Milan… with some urging Antonio Conte to give the young …

Pape Matar Sarr’s performance for Tottenham against AC Milan has been hailed as ‘simply sensational’ with fans and pundits alike praising the young midfielder. 

The Senegal international made only his sixth appearance of the season as Tottenham left Milan trailing 1-0 on aggregate, in the knowledge that they still have a viable path to the last-eight despite Brahim Diaz’s early first half strike. 

Rocked by the injury to Rodrigo Bentancur over the weekend, with it announced that the midfielder would miss the remainder of the season, grossly inexperienced pair Sarr and Oliver Skipp were handed a tall order in Milan but handled the occasion well. 

Sarr came in for particular praise, with supporters urging manager Antonio Conte to deploy him more with Tottenham’s season hanging in the balance. 

‘Pape Sarr,’ one supporter wrote. ‘Simply sensational. An absolute baller, the guy needs serious minutes in the league with Bentancur out.’

Young midfielder Pape Matar Sarr (L) put in a brilliant performance for Tottenham

© Provided by Daily Mail

Another added: ‘Pape Sarr has been brilliant. Watch Conte drop him for (Pierre-Emile) Hojbjerg next game.’

The Dane Hojbjerg, whose goal against Marseille in the last round of fixtures in the group stage, was suspended for Tuesday’s first leg as a result of an accumulation of bookings. 

Other Tottenham supporters sought to lavish praise upon the young Senegalese’s shoulders. 

‘Pape Sarr absolutely superb,’ one simply noted.

While another, choosing to credit Skipp as well, wrote: ‘Pape Sarr [and] Oli Skipp you’ve done us proud, not your fault we lost.’

Another added that Sarr can look forward to a bright future ahead of him following his impressive showing, hailing his performance as like that of an ‘experienced’ central midfielder.

‘Today was one of those games where both teams were not great but a poor defensive mistake cost us,’ they wrote. 

‘Big up to Pape Sarr who played like a experienced CM. Barely put a foot wrong. He has a big future ahead of him. We have a star on our hands. Tie is not over.’

‘Pape Sarr ain’t looking out of place man,’ another added. ‘He cold.’

Sarr’s showing in Milan was praised for its all-roundedness, with his ability on the ball and combativeness when out of possession noted. 

He completed 49 of his 59 attempted passes, while he won seven of 11 ground duels he challenged and two of five aerial. 

It seems his defensive showing particularly impressed his team-mates, with one supporter on social media writing that Harry Kane, at an juncture in the game, stopped to ‘applaud’ his efforts.

‘Harry Kane stopping to applaud Pape Sarr defensive plays in the middle of the game,’ they wrote. ‘We’re witnessing history.’

Conte himself hailed the two young midfielders, crediting them with standing up at a difficult time for the club amid an injury crisis in midfield.   

Spurs boss Antonio Conte watched on from the sidelines as his team fell to consecutive losses

© Provided by Daily Mail

‘To have this type of performance from Skippy and Pape Sarr makes me happy because I have seen a lot of improvement in these players and it means we are working very well with them,’ he said. 

‘It means they are improving and for sure they will be the future for Tottenham but at the same time they will be the present. 

‘I have to consider them important players and with Pierre Hojbjerg we have only three midfielders and fingers crossed no injuries for the rest of the season and then we hope to recover before the end of the season Bissouma but we know about this situation I’m not sure what is the future and whether he’ll be able this season.’

Milan will travel to Tottenham for the second leg of their last-16 tie next month on March 8. 

Read more