England vs Spain: Eric Dier in angry reaction to Ander Herrera after off-the-ball elbow and says 'I'll see him soon'
The Tottenham midfielder warned the Spaniard after the game that he would 'see him soon'
Eric Dier has angrily accused Ander Herrera of elbowing him in the face during England’s 2-2 friendly with Spain on Tuesday night.
The Tottenham midfielder issued a provocative statement of intent as he declared afterwards that he would “see him soon”, suggesting that Tuesday’s flashpoint could linger into next month’s Premier League meeting between the two.
Herrera made contact with Dier five minutes from time as Spain chased down the hosts’ 2-0 lead at Wembley Stadium. Clearly incensed by the incident, Dier proceeded to confront the Manchester United player once the final whistle had been blown.
“I think it’s pretty clear what he did and I can feel it on my cheek now,” the Spurs midfielder said after the game.
“I’ve made a pass and it was a long time afterwards [that] he’s elbowed me in the face, and I just can’t see why. For me, it’s just ridiculous. So I know what he did, and I don’t like that kind of stuff. I don’t mind people kicking each other at times and stuff, but that’s just dirty and not needed.”
Asked whether he had sought an apology, Dier said: “I don’t need him to apologise. I’ll see him soon … These things happen. But I don’t know why he did it, to be honest. That’s why I was angry. It was just strange and it’s not nice.”
The incident underpinned what was an occasionally bad-tempered match during which six players were booked.
Liverpool’s Adam Lallana was another player who felt the full force of the visiting Spaniards as he was withdrawn in the 27th minute after a challenge from Thiago Alcantara.
Having sustained an ankle injury in the process, Lallana will now be assessed ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming fixture against Southampton.
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