Alan Shearer slams Eric Dier over moment in Spurs defeat

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Alan Shearer has told Match of the Day that Eric Dier made a big mistake not clearing the ball before Tottenham Hotspur conceded the opening goal in their 3-1 defeat on Saturday.

Ryan Mason suffered his first loss in the Premier League since taking interim charge. It proved to be a hugely disappointing day for Spurs who were out-worked by Leeds at Elland Road.

The deadlock was broken when Stuart Dallas smashed the ball home from close range. Hugo Lloris had to make a stunning save after Sergio Reguilon sent the ball towards his own goal – but that allowed Dallas to score.

However, the cross only got that far across the box after Dier had seemingly decided to let the ball run past him as the cross came in.

And Shearer suggested that Dier not taking control of the situation was the key mistake that cost Spurs on that occasion.

“The ball comes in, very, very good play from Harrison,” he told Match of the Day. “What on earth is Dier doing? He’s in a good position. Clear it. You cannot gamble and let that ball go and hope that there’s no-one behind you. He has to clear that.”

It proved to be a hugely disappointing day for Dier. The £72,000-a-week defender lost Patrick Bamford at the crucial moment for Leeds’s second.

He also played Raphinha onside for the third goal – though the lacklustre tracking back from his teammates will probably annoy Mason a lot more.

In fairness to Dier, he was not the only player to really struggle. But it is a worrying sign that questions could be asked of him for all three of the home side’s goals.