Ben Davies discusses Will Lankshear dressing room reaction after Spurs red card

Ben Davies shared that young striker Will Lankshear was “devastated” after Tottenham’s challenging 3-2 loss to Galatasaray in the Europa League. For Lankshear, it was a bittersweet evening; his second senior start brought his first goal for the club, but it ended with an early exit after a red card.

The young forward, who shone for Tottenham’s Under-21s last season with a prolific scoring record, seized his first real opportunity in the 18th minute, positioning himself perfectly to score from Brennan Johnson’s cross.

The goal itself was a display of Tottenham’s potential, with Archie Gray delivering a precise ball over the top to Johnson, who wasted no time in setting up the finish that temporarily silenced the crowd at RAMS Park.

Lankshear had another opportunity to double his tally early in the second half, but Galatasaray’s seasoned goalkeeper Fernando Muslera thwarted his attempt. Just moments after this missed chance, Lankshear found himself in trouble.

Seven minutes after his initial caution, the 19-year-old received a second yellow card for a foul on former Norwich City player Gabriel Sara. Lankshear believed he was due a foul call seconds earlier, and as he jumped up in frustration, he inadvertently committed a late tackle right in front of the dugouts.

The referee didn’t hesitate to send him off, leaving Lankshear visibly disappointed as he exited the field. Teammate Pedro Porro quickly ran over to console him before he headed down the tunnel, visibly disheartened.

Despite being down to ten men, Tottenham managed to pull one back through Dominic Solanke’s composed finish. However, they couldn’t find an equalizer, and Galatasaray held on to secure their victory.

Speaking with SPURSPLAY after the match, Davies revealed Lankshear’s disappointment in the locker room but expressed confidence that the young player would grow from the experience.

Reflecting on Tottenham’s performance, Davies admitted that the team’s surge in the second half came “probably a little bit too late.” He acknowledged Lankshear’s disappointment and recognized the challenges young players face.

“For Will, it’s tough, and these things happen, but he’ll learn from that,” Davies said. “He’s gutted in there, and he feels like he’s let the team down, but this is all part and parcel of football. Each game presents different circumstances, and tonight, going down to ten men put us under pressure. The game’s done now, and he’ll learn from this for sure.”

Davies also gave his perspective on the night’s challenges, particularly Tottenham’s repeated errors in the first half and immediately after halftime. He noted the difficulties Spurs faced in adjusting to the intense atmosphere.

“It was a tough game, and in the first half, our own mistakes were our biggest downfall,” Davies admitted. “We need to handle the atmosphere better. By the end, even with ten men, we were the only team pushing for a result.”

In reflecting on the night, it’s clear that Tottenham’s youth and inexperience were evident in moments that counted. While Lankshear’s dismissal hindered the team, Tottenham’s defensive struggles and costly errors gave Galatasaray the edge. The game underscored the critical importance of composure and the ability to manage pressure, especially in a setting as intense as an away fixture in Istanbul.

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