Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has criticized Thomas Partey for his poor defending in the lead-up to Tottenham Hotspur’s opening goal in the North London derby on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

Ferdinand pointed out that Partey failed to close down a quick counterattack initiated by Pape Sarr.

"Partey didn’t want any part of that running against Sarr there. Your holding midfielder has to get across and slow that down," Ferdinand said, as quoted by Football Insider.

Co-pundit Alistair Murdoch McCoist agreed with Ferdinand, stressing that Partey should have done more to contain the attack.

"That’s not good. He should be breaking his neck to cover that gap between the left-back and the left centre-back," McCoist added.

The defensive lapse allowed Heung-Min Son to put Tottenham ahead. However, Arsenal equalized through an own goal before Partey redeemed himself with a brilliant tackle that led to Arsenal's match-winning goal.


EE/EK


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