Peter Crouch and Joe Cole have praised 18-year-old Southampton winger Tyler Dibling for his standout performance against Manchester United, calling it “fantastic” and “brilliant.”
In his first Premier League start, Dibling made a significant impact by winning a penalty in the first half after being fouled by Diogo Dalot. However, Cameron Archer’s penalty was saved by Andre Onana.
Despite Southampton’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, with goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho, Dibling shone brightly. His fearless play on the ball provided a rare highlight for the struggling Southampton side, earning commendations from the TNT Sport pundits.
Dibling Impresses TV Pundits
Crouch, reflecting on the match, admired Dibling’s ability to beat Dalot and win the penalty, praising his skill and maturity at such a young age:
“He was fantastic for an 18-year-old. Both wings looked dangerous, and his ability to win that penalty was impressive.”
Cole also praised Dibling, noting his brilliant performance despite Southampton’s overall struggle:
“Dibling’s been brilliant. Southampton were solid for 35 minutes, but mistakes can be costly.”
With Southampton’s upcoming fixtures, including an EFL Cup game against Everton and a crucial league match against Ipswich, Dibling is likely to have more chances to showcase his talent.
Stephens’ Red Card Controversy
In addition to Dibling’s penalty, a major talking point was Jack Stephens’ red card. The Southampton defender’s reckless challenge on Alejandro Garnacho led to a dismissal, with some critics, including journalist Mike Parry, labeling it as one of the worst tackles in Premier League history. Stephens will now face a three-game suspension, adding to Southampton’s woes.