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Football London
Football London
Sport
Jamie Kemble

Sky Sports pundit slams Tottenham defenders for Everton winner and sends clear Eric Dier message

There will be 'words spoken' in the Tottenham dressing room over the defending of Everton's winning goal in Spurs' season opener.

That's according to former West Brom boss and centre-back Darren Moore, who believes Spurs should have done a lot better to keep out a Dominic Calvert-Lewin's header that ended up deciding the clash following a disappointing display from Jose Mourinho's men.

Moore believes it was far too easy for Calvert-Lewin, and he believed Eric Dier must do a lot better if he hopes to keep his spot at centre-back, the England international deciding to switch from midfield ahead of this season.

"For a striker to be heading the ball, going in between your two centre-backs...me speaking as a former centre-back, I'd be very disappointed with that," Moore said on Sky Sports.

"We spoke about Eric Dier, and if he wants to play at centre-back, those are the things, he has to make first contact at the ball.

"Calvert-Lewis gets up and attacks the ball when they are all waiting.

"He attacks it and jumps early, it's a great header, but from Jose's point of view, I imagine there will be words spoken about that because, from a defending point of view, it's a basic elementary mistake by the two centre-backs."

There were complains about the Everton goal because the free-kick that set Calvert-Lewin up for the goal was taken around six yards ahead of where it should have been.

Speaking about that, Moore added: "I think you are clutching at decisions. But it's obviously six yards closer and it changes the angle, so it could make a difference."

The defeat was Mourinho's first opening day defeat in his managerial career, previously going 18 games without a loss.

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