Tomkins defies his unfavourable match up.
Wingers will usually lick their lips in anticipation of going up against a centre back. Less mobile, less equipped to patrol the flanks, a centre back rarely looks entirely at home out near the touchline. Jesse Lingard is a player with all the tricks one would need to bamboozle most central defenders in the league, and so, with James Tomkins as his immediate adversary, was probably looking forward to things. But, as he’d find out, Tomkins is no slouch in the fullback position, and just as he did on Arsenal and Liverpool’s home grounds, he excelled here at Old Trafford, never allowing the young United winger a clear look at a juicy, open touchline. Eventually, Lingard was moved to the opposite flank, a real testament to Tomkins’ ability.
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