James Maddison shares why he let Richarlison take Tottenham penalty against AZ

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Tottenham Hotspur have made it three wins in a row in the Europa League as they ran out 1-0 winners over AZ in North London.

Spurs managed to get over the line at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to Richarlison’s penalty in the 53rd minute.

AZ’s Maxim Dekker kicked out at Lucas Bergvall in the box to gift Tottenham a spot kick early in the second half.

Richarlison, making his first start of the season, was seen arguing with James Maddison over who would take the penalty.

Maddison, who captained Spurs on the night, ultimately allowed his teammate to take the spot kick, and he confidently struck the ball down the middle for the winner.

The Tottenham midfielder, speaking to TNT Sports after the game, explained why he relinquished the responsibility to Richarlison.

James Maddison happy to have helped Richarlison gain ‘big boost’ with penalty

“Initially we both wanted to take it,” Maddison told TNT Sports, as transcribed by BBC Sport.

“I’m a senior player, I was captain today, I was going to take it, but I thought Richarlison has come back from an injury, it’s difficult for a striker – a first goal gives confidence.

“It was a split second decision to let him take it. [It’s] leadership, obviously I wore the armband but even if I wasn’t the captain I would still like to think I would make a decision that is best for the team.

“Hopefully that gives him a big boost.”

READ MORE: Ange Postecoglou is already willing to let one of his summer signings leave Tottenham in January

Maddison makes the right call

Maddison did the right thing. Although he was pencilled in to take spot kicks, he showed good leadership on the spot in giving Richarlison the opportunity to get off the mark.

Indeed, the forward took his penalty very confidently, curling a Panenka into the net, and you could see how much it meant to him.

Hopefully this will be the start of a prolific season for Richarlison, who has worked incredibly hard to get into the best possible shape in wake of his latest setback.

What next for Tottenham?

Ange Postecoglou’s charges are next in action on Sunday when they head to Crystal Palace for a 2pm kick-off in the Premier League.