Gary Neville criticises Ryan Bennett after Leicester City fall behind to Tottenham in crucial game

Gary Neville was highly critical of Ryan Bennett’s part in Leicester City falling 3-0 behind in their crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham.

The Foxes headed into their penultimate game of the season in the top four on just goal difference, knowing that a win could be crucial ahead of their final game against Manchester United next weekend.

But they suffered the worst possible start as Spurs took the lead after just six minutes, with Son Heung-min’s shot deflecting in off James Justin for an own goal.

The South Korean took advantage of a slip from Bennett to cut inside onto his favoured right foot and aim for goal, with his effort looking set to go wide until it was diverted by Justin’s unfortunate intervention.

Things only got worse Leicester as Harry Kane struck twice to make it 3-0, with Bennett again struggling to contain Spurs in the build-up to the third.

Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0 against Leicester City (Image: Getty Images)

And, commentating on the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Sky Sports, former United captain Neville wasn’t too happy with Bennett’s defending.

“We see it a lot in the game generally, when you allow a player to cut back inside on his stronger foot, it really does cause the goalkeeper problems, it causes the defence problems,” Neville said.

“He’s got to keep him going outside, and Ryan Bennett just allows him to cut back in, and once he does that you’re in the lap of the gods.

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“James Justin, who’s followed that really hard run by Harry Kane into the box, is in a position where he shouldn’t be, and he deflects it into his own goal.

“You’re not going to win the ball back if you’re Ryan Bennett against Son running in the box, but what you have to make sure is you show them the way in which it’s easiest for your goalkeeper.

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“Once you let the player come back inside on their right foot, your goalkeeper has got a nightmare. He’s got to adjust his position, move his feet, the other defenders are panicking.

“You have to make sure you almost over-cover and show them on the outside, and it makes it a lot easier then for Kasper Schmeichel or any goalkeeper to close down that angle and just set himself.”

On the third goal, Neville added: “It’s really poor from Leicester, first of all giving it away.

“I talked about Ryan Bennett on the first goal. He does the right thing initially to let the ball go wide, but he cannot allow Harry Kane back on his right foot.

“Whatever you do, do not allow him back there, because once you do, and when he’s in this form, Kasper Schmeichel has no chance.”