Misfiring Richarlison defended for ‘open goal’ miss as eagle-eyed pundit calls ‘foul’ on Tottenham striker

Richarlison once again missed a gilt-edged chance for Tottenham – but Stuart Pearce has claimed he should have been awarded a penalty.

The Brazilian striker, who has scored just one Premier League goal for Spurs since joining last year, looked set to double the visitors’ lead in the 2-0 win against Bournemouth.

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Richarlison failed to score from a few yards out against Bournemouth

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He cut inside Lloyd Kelly, but fluffed his attempt on goal

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Though replays showed Spurs should have had a penalty for a handball on KellyCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

James Maddison had broken the deadlock in the 17th minute, with the midfielder then gloriously finding the run of Richarlison later in the first half.

Receiving the ball in the box, he cut inside defender Lloyd Kelly, but fluffed up his shot after rounding Neto, with Joe Rothwell blocking his effort.

Illia Zabarnyi then hoofed away the ball from inside the six-yard box, with fans left wondering how Richarlison failed to find the back of the net.

Though replays showed he should have won Ange Postecoglou’s side a penalty after Kelly appeared to inadvertently handle the ball as he slid in, which resulted in Richarlison failing to get it out of his feet properly.

Discussing the incident on talkSPORT commentary, Sam Matterface said: “Richarlison still can’t score with an open goal.”

He continued: “Richarlison has gone through one-on-one, was there a handball there as Kelly slid in?

“He rounded the goalkeeper Richarlison and he still couldn’t get it away.”

England legend Pearce remarked: “Postecoglou is on the touchline demanding a handball.

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Richarlison continues to struggle in front of goal for TottenhamCredit: Getty

“Richarlison has just manipulated the ball through Lloyd Kelly’s legs and his trailing arm as he’s slid on the floor has just caught the ball wit his hand.

“But I’m amazed that ball didn’t end up in the back of the net.”

He added: “What I’m going to do, I’m going to play devil’s advocate here.

“If he didn’t put his hand on the ball and slow the momentum of the ball down, Richarlison would have just ran onto the natural movement of the ball and slid it in with his left foot.

“Instead he’s slowed it down and in the end he was on top of the ball and had to sort his feet out, and it probably stopped the goal.”

Richarlison then missed another effort from close range, as he headed into the side netting at the back post.

He was eventually taken off on the hour mark for Ivan Perisic.

Thankfully for Spurs, Richarlison’s misses didn’t have an impact on the final result as Dejan Kulusevski scored in the 63rd minute to make it back-to-back Premier League wins.

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