Mueez Ajao
– Richarlison’s first goals for Tottenham Hotspur helped them mark their return to the Champions League with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Marseille in Group D on Wednesday.
– The Brazilian forward, signed from Everton in the summer, struck twice in five minutes late on to secure three points that had not looked likely for the hosts.
– Richarlison rose to head home Ivan Perisic’s pinpoint cross in the 76th minute and scored an almost identical goal from Pierre-Emile Hojberg’s cross to deflate Marseille.
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– Until Richarlison’s brace Tottenham had been mediocre against a lively Marseille who were the better team until Chancel Mbemba was sent off three minutes into the second half.
– Tottenham, who missed out on the Champions league for the past two seasons, did not register a shot on target in a lacklustre first half, but Richarlison eventually ensured a perfect start for Antonio Conte’s team.
Kicking off our #UCL campaign with a big win 🔥
COYS! pic.twitter.com/SNqK51hikS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 7, 2022
– They share top spot in the group with Sporting Lisbon who beat Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0.
– Marseille fans vented their frustration at the final whistle with ugly scenes as they clashed with stewards and police.
– Conte elected to start with Richarlison alongside Tottenham’s established strike duo Harry Kane and Son Heung-min for the second successive game and was richly rewarded.
– “I remember very well when Richi [Richarlison] signed for us and he said ‘I can’t wait to play in the Champions League and listen to the music’,” Conte said.
– “When a player says these words, it means he has great desire and great will. I told him this morning it was his moment and to enjoy it.”
🎙“I'm really happy for Richy, he deserved to have this night”
Antonio Conte on tonight's victory and Richarlison's performance ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/3jfSR574o6
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) September 7, 2022
– Richarlison was denied his first Tottenham goal when he had an effort disallowed against Fulham at the weekend.
– But he did not have to wait much longer to open his account as he displayed the cutting edge that Tottenham’s attack had been lacking throughout the Group D opener.
– Marseille, like Tottenham, have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season and were comfortable during the first half.
– Tottenham could not build any attacking momentum and the visitors looked sharper all over the pitch.
– Former Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi controlled the midfield and forced Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris into a low save in first-half stoppage time.
– Marseille suffered a blow in the 48th minute though when Son was played through on goal and was crudely taken down by Mbemba who was shown a red card by Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic.
– Even then Tottenham struggled to make much impression and Marseille looked like taking home a point until Perisic delivered a superb right-footed cross from the left and Richarlison thumped a header past Pau Lopez.
– Marseille did not learn their lesson and the Brazilian then found space in the area again to glance Hojbjerg’s delivery into the net off the post in the 81st minute.
– Marseille went close to pulling a goal back when Ben Davies blocked an effort by Cengiz Under but the French side returned home wondering what might have been.
– “We’re frustrated. At 11 versus 11 we matched them, and perhaps were even dominating,” Marseille captain Valentin Rongier said. “We have lots of regrets, because even with 10 men we could have got a result.”
