James Maddison has been called out for his actions during Tottenham’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Sunday at St James’ Park.
Ange Postecoglou went into the game knowing that his team had to overcome the nightmare of getting torn apart in this fixture for the past two seasons
It was a lively start with Harvey Barnes opening the scoring for Newcastle, but from then on, Tottenhamwere by far the better team and they equalised in the second half when Dan Burn fired into his own net.
Spurs pushed and pushed for a goal, including Maddison forcing Nick Pope into a strong save, before Alexander Isak scored the winner.
After the game, a lot of talk was about Tottenham wasting big chances again, but Chris Sutton was keen to call out Maddison.
The England international can be a marmite-like figure because of his style of play and how he can go to ground pretty easily.
Sutton named Maddison as ‘the winner of this week’s simulation game’ after he accused him of diving during his side’s defeat to Newcastle.
The former striker stated that the former Leicester City player ‘has a history of this’ and ‘you are better than this’, as he told BBC’s 606.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom from Sutton because he did state that the Tottenham playmaker is a ‘great footballer’.
James Maddison diving
“The winner of this week’s simulation game,” said Merson. “James Maddison, a great player that he is and he is a great footballer, but he has a history of this.
“You are better than this, James Maddison. You are better than that. Just stay on your feet. Stay on your feet. Do the right thing. Madness from Maddison.”
James Maddison misses out on England squad
Maddison was axed from England’s Euro 2024 squadin the summer and he had a lot to prove at the start of this new season.In truth, he has started the season well and he is looking back to his best, but new interim boss Lee Carsley didn’t name him in his first England squad since Gareth Southgate’s exit.