Gary Lineker was left baffled by what a Tottenham star did during the dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United last Saturday.
Spurs were on course for another home defeat in the Premier League before Mathys Tel struck late on to cancel out Bryan Mbeumo’s opener.
And then in the 91st minute, with United down to 10 men after Benjamin Sesko limped off with injury, Richarlison headed in what appeared to be the winning goal, sparking wild celebrations in north London.
But the stadium was soon silenced as Matthijs de Ligt equalised in the dying seconds of the match to ensure the points were shared.
It was a bitter result for Tottenham and left Richarlison with a bit of egg on his face as the 28-year-old had ripped off his shirt to celebrate his equaliser and as result picked up an ultimately pointless yellow card.
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Former Spurs striker Lineker understood the Brazil forward’s emotions in the moment but still criticised him for doing something that he knew would get him booked.
‘Richarlison thought he’d won the game for Tottenham, didn’t he?’ the England legend said on The Rest is Football.
‘Ripping off his shirt and then obviously they get extra time for that and then they [United] score in that extra time. I think it’s a stupid law to get a yellow card and obviously if it happens in injury time you get extended injury time.
‘But also, even though it’s a silly law, you know what it is, and I just don’t understand why [he did it]. I know you can get over excited, but you can get over excited by doing something else other than rip your bloody shirt off!
‘It’s a bit daft but I get it. It’s a big goal for him and he thought at the time he’d won the game. But honestly… footballers, glad I wasn’t one!’
Unfortunately for Richarlison, this is now the second time he has exuberantly celebrated a last-minute goal prematurely.
In April 2023, he thought he had rescued a point for Spurs against Liverpool in injury time with his first Premier League goal for the club, instantly ripping off his shirt and jumping into the away end at Anfield.
But just a minute later, Diogo Jota scored to win the game for the Reds 4-3.
Richarlison has struggled for fitness and form since his £50million transfer from Everton to Tottenham three years ago but he has started this season well with four goals and two assists in 11 league games.
He is not the only player to be called out for excessive celebrations this season, with Hugo Ekitike getting sent off after taking his shirt off for celebrating his winner in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup clash against Southampton.
Saturday’s result leaves Thomas Frank’s side fifth in the table, with their next game on November 23 against league leaders and arch-rivals Arsenal.
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