‘Inaccurate clearances’, ‘duel losses’: Spurs defender rated 3.5/10 for his latest international display

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Serge Aurier captained Ivory Coast to victory in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday night.

The Spurs ace played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 win over Madagascar, which moved the Elephants top of Group K, level on points with the Barea after three games.

After a goalless first half in Abidjan, former Arsenal striker Gervinho broke the deadlock in the 48th minute and West Ham’s Sebastian Haller doubled the lead seven minutes later.

Madagascar’s Paulin Voavy halved the deficit just before the hour but Patrice Beaumelle’s side held on for victory.

Despite winning, several Ivory Coast players flattered to deceive, and Aurier was actually given the lowest rating in his team by Life.

The Ivorian outlet rated him 3.5 out of 10 and wrote: “The captain brought a lot offensively, especially in the first half with good crosses, but he also erred with inaccurate clearances and duel losses against the Malagasy wingers.”

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Life’s rating for Aurier, it has to be said, seems quite harsh.

You’ll struggle to see many players rated below a 5 given any praise whatsoever, never mind below a 4, yet Aurier was hailed for his impressive attacking efforts.

That said, the comments about his display will be somewhat familiar to many Spurs fans.

Aurier is decent when it comes to attacking, but his defensive credentials have sometimes come under criticism.