Gabby Agbonlahor has hit back at Gary Neville after the former Manchester United player-turned-pundit complained about criticism voiced by ex-Tottenham Hotspur players over the team’s performances this season.
Neville accused former Spurs players of lacking perspective after Tottenham dented their top four hopes by conceding a stoppage time equaliser against ten-man Everton at Goodison Park on Monday.
Harry Kane scored a 68th minute penalty to give the visitors the lead but, just ten minutes earlier, the England captain had been at the centre of another of the game’s talking points when he was involved in a confrontation with Abdoulaye Doucoure that ended with the Everton man being sent off.
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Kane fell to the ground in dramatic fashion after Doucoure put his hand to the face of the Spurs striker – a reaction that incensed the Everton bench.
Substitute Lucas Moura was then also sent off for a nasty challenge on Michael Keane before the former Burnley defender shook off the knock to smash in a stunning 25-yard equaliser.
After the game, ex-Spurs midfielder Jamie O’Hara made his feelings on the result abundantly clear when he stormed out of the talkSPORT studio live on air, following comments made by interim boss Cristian Stellini in a post-match interview.
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O’Hara then vented his frustration on social media, writing on Twitter: “Nahhhhh I’m done with this lot embarrassing #Spurs disgrace pathetic absolute joke of a team.”
O’Hara’s former Tottenham teammate, Jermaine Jenas, also made his thoughts known, posting: “I can’t watch this team anymore ffs #spurs.”
Neville then responded to the criticism by reminding those in question of Tottenham’s current league position before claiming they should find some perspective.
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“Interesting seeing ex-Spurs players that never got near to Champions League places for years when they played for the club saying they can’t watch this current team now. Spurs are in 4th place currently ahead of Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. Perspective!” he tweeted.
However, ex-Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor defended the former Spurs players’ right to an opinion, and even accused Neville of “sitting on the fence” whilst Ole Gunnar Solskjær was in charge at United.
“Jamie O’Hara played for Spurs. Jermaine Jenas played for Spurs. They know their club,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.
“It’s not just about fourth place. The Spurs that I used to play against were really attractive to watch. And that’s what Spurs fans want to see.
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“Gary Neville speak so much on Manchester United. He knows them better than anyone else. But I’ve heard him moan about the quality of football at Manchester United.
“When Ole Gunnar Solskjær wasn’t really doing it, he didn’t come for him. He sat on the fence.
“So I think you’re allowed to talk about you own club and how you feel. You know it more.”
Next up for Spurs is the visit of high-flying Brighton on Saturday. The Seagulls sit just four points behind Tottenham in sixth but have two games in hand.
Topics: Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gary Neville, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League