Jermaine Jenas hailed a “brilliant” performance by Hugo Lloris after Tottenham’s 1-0 Premier League win against Crystal Palace.
The BT Sport pundit was at Selhurst Park on Saturday evening as a Juan Foyth goal secured a hard-fought win for Spurs to lift them to fourth in the table and within two points of leaders Manchester City.
Goalkeeper Lloris made an outstanding late save from Alexander Sorloth to deny Palace an equaliser and continue Tottenham’s impressive run to blow Jenas away.
“I thought he was brilliant today, I honestly do,” Jenas said of Lloris on BT Sport’s live coverage immediately after the match. “There were shaky moments but I like the fact he took responsibility.
“In the latter stages when Spurs were struggling, he was the one who held it together. He’s getting himself back into some good form and that was another good game for Hugo.”
OPINION
Lloris has had it in the neck from Jenas and many Tottenham supporters for some high-profile blunders this year, notably in the Champions League defeat to Barcelona and the recent draw against PSV Eindhoven. Certainly, the France World Cup winner’s standards have slipped and many wondered whether his downturn was terminal. Lloris’ reflexes remain intact, and he is able to pull off the eyecatching saves that have been a feature of his lengthy spell in north London. The big question mark is over his decision-making, whether it comes to racing out of his line to grab crosses and high balls, or distributing the ball to his defenders and midfielders. Lloris has emerged as suspect, and opponents are appearing to pinpoint him as a potential weak link. The Frenchman answered his critics against Palace, but needs plenty more similar performances to restore his reputation.