Rio Ferdinand reacts to Harry Kane winning penalty in Tottenham win

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Rio Ferdinand has told his YouTube channel that Harry Kane had every right to go down to win the penalty in Tottenham Hotspur’s win over Everton, but conceded that he would be furious if he did the same against Manchester United this week.

Kane opened the scoring against the Toffees after winning a spot-kick in the second-half. The striker went down just inside the six-yard box after reacting fastest to Jordan Pickford spilling a shot.

As Pickford attempted to get back up, his head made contact with Kane’s leg. The goalkeeper did not appear to have too many complaints when Paul Tierney pointed to the spot.

Ferdinand defended Kane potentially going to ground too easily. But he also agreed when it was put to him that he would be losing his mind if the Tottenham talisman does that against Manchester United on Wednesday.

Ferdinand defends Harry Kane after he wins penalty

“He may have simulated a little bit. Pickford touches him, he goes down. It’s a penalty. If one of your strikers did that, you’d say: ‘you know what son, that’s why I pay you. That’s why you’re here, son. Well done’,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“He simulated because there was contact.

“Yeah, you’re right. You’re right,” he admitted, when the upcoming game was mentioned.

Ferdinand is right. Kane had every right to go to ground. It was clumsy from Pickford. And he held up his hands after the goal – though that may have been more to do with spilling the initial attempt.

Certainly, it is one of those where Tottenham supporters would have been absolutely furious if Kane had not been given a penalty.

And Everton fans would have been livid if the decision went against them had one of their players gone down at the other end of the pitch.

Kane is certainly not going to think twice if the chance presents itself against Manchester United this week.

It would be unfair to be too critical of Kane. Ultimately, the standard has been set when it comes to what counts as a penalty.

If there is any criticism to be directed at anyone, it is surely the referees who struggle for consistency when it comes to deciding what counts as a penalty.