Richarlison did not mean to disrespect Nottingham Forest with his showboating during Tottenham's win on Sunday, according to Antonio Conte.
The Brazilian forward decided to complete some kick-ups on the touchline in the closing stages of Spurs’ 2-0 win. He was quickly scythed down by a combination Forest’s Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson, who picked up a yellow card for his heavy challenge as things got heated at the City Ground.
Forest manager Steve Cooper was not impressed with Richarlison’s actions. “I wouldn’t want my players to do that, what Richarlison did,” he said post-match. “But if that’s accepted at Spurs then that’s nothing to do with me. But it wouldn’t be accepted here, that’s for sure.”
Richarlison certainly made an impact off the substitutes’ bench. The £60million summer signing from Everton set up Harry Kane’s second goal with a brilliant outside-of-the-boot cross before his moment of controversy.
Conte attempted to play down the significance of the incident. “At that moment I was with the bench because I was making another substitution. I think he juggled with the ball,” Conte said.
“It is a game and you are under pressure. I repeat it is OK. I don’t think Richy wanted to show disrespect to Nottingham Forest.
“Nottingham Forest are a really good team with a great history in football and we have a great respect. Richy for sure thinks in the same way. Not disrespectful for anyone and I can tell you this.”
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On co-commentary duties for Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher felt differently to the Tottenham boss. “Woah! It does wind people up,” he said. “You can't do that.
"But what is he doing? He just winds people up that lad, Richarlison. He winds me up. What do you expect Johnson to do? You're not condoning that but…”
The win moved Tottenham up to third place in the Premier League, with Conte’s side now having taken 10 points from a possible 12 to start the campaign. Kane opened the scoring with a scruffy finish from Dejan Kulusevski’s pass before seeing a penalty well saved by Dean Henderson.
The penalty miss, which came after a handball by Steve Cook, was not costly, with Kane then stooping to head in Richarlison’s cross. “I think we deserved to win. It was a difficult game,” Conte said.
“It was the first time (playing them) and I was really surprised to listen to a lot of noise around the stadium and the pitch, and the Nottingham Forest fans pushed the team a lot. The second half we improved a lot and we had the chances to score the second goal. We could have scored the third goal with the penalty, but honestly I don’t think he missed it.
“I think it was a really good save. The keeper was incredible, the save he made. But in the end, three points, I repeat not easy to come here and get three points against Nottingham Forest.”
