Premier League Gameweek 4
Sep 2, 2023 3.00pm
2
5
HT : 1 2
FT Turf Moor
  • Lyle Foster 4' goal
  • Johann Berg Gudmundsson 43' yellowcard
  • Josh Brownhill 57' yellowcard
  • Jordan Beyer 74' yellowcard
  • Hannes Delcroix 90'+1' yellowcard
  • Josh Brownhill 90'+4' goal
  • goal Son Heung-min 16'
  • yellowcard Pape Sarr 28'
  • yellowcard Dejan Kulusevski 41'
  • goal Cristian Romero 45'+2'
  • goal James Maddison 54'
  • goal Son Heung-min 63'
  • goal Son Heung-min 66'
  • yellowcard Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 81'

Tottenham Hotspur handed Richarlison injury boost ahead of Burnley clash?

Spurs handed Richarlison injury boost ahead of Burnley clash?

Tottenham Hotspur attacker Richarlison is reportedly set to be passed fit for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Burnley at Turf Moor.

The 26-year-old got off the mark for the new campaign against Fulham in the second round of the EFL Cup in midweek, although his efforts were in vain as Spurs were eliminated on penalties.

Richarlison was not able to step up to the 12-yard mark in the shootout, though, as he had to be withdrawn in the second half with an apparent blow to the ankle.

The Brazil international's possible absence this weekend would have left Spurs short of options in the number nine role, as Troy Parrott and Dane Scarlett both left the club on loan during the summer window.

Brennan Johnson's arrival from Nottingham Forest was not confirmed until 11pm on deadline day, meaning that the Welshman should not make his debut until after the international break, but according to the Evening Standard, Richarlison should be given the green light to play.

The former Everton man will therefore be expected to line up at the tip of the attack as he bids to belatedly ignite his Tottenham career, having only managed four goals in 39 matches for the club so far.

Despite his struggles in front of goal, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has insisted that he was not "unhappy" with Richarlison before he opened his account for the season and is instead focusing on how the South American's overall game can benefit the team.

"I guess because everyone talks about it and I'm not in Richy's head to really know how people feel, but I guess it stops people talking about the fact that he didn't score," Postecoglou told reporters at his pre-game press conference.

"I was happy with his contribution. I said I thought the other night he probably wasn't at the same level as in the other three games but he gets a goal and people will focus on the goal.

"But I'm still looking at his contribution to the team and thinking about what Richy needs to do for us to keep improving as a team. But he's not the only one, all of them are in that boat.

"But anything that gives a player confidence is great, particularly for strikers - I get that. Because obviously that's what people focus on. But I wasn't unhappy with Richy before he scored a goal."

While Richarlison is set to be available, Postecoglou confirmed that Argentine midfielder Giovani Lo Celso will miss out with a quadriceps injury, joining Spurs' four known absentees on the sidelines.

Bryan Gil (groin), Rodrigo Bentancur (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (hamstring) and Alfie Whiteman (ankle) are all recovering from operations, while Eric Dier is apparently nursing a minor injury and is not expected to be involved either.

In any case, the Englishman has been frozen out of Postecoglou's squad in the early weeks of the season, although he failed to secure a move away from Tottenham before the English transfer window closed at 11pm on Friday.

Former first-choice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris - who is also in the final year of his deal - did not manage to engineer an exit either, having allegedly turned down moves to Nice, Newcastle United and Saudi Arabia.

POLL
Who will win Saturday's Premier League clash between Burnley and Spurs?
Burnley 14%
Draw 11%
Tottenham Hotspur 75%
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