XAVI SIMMONS FINALLY SPEAKS ON WHAT LED TO THE HEATED EXCHANGE BETWEEN PEDRO PORRO, RICHARLISON AND DECLAN RICE AFTER HE WAS FOULED

Last night’s North London Derby ended in chaos – and not just on the score sheet. Arsenal ran away with a 4–1 demolition of Tottenham, propelled by a stunning hat-trick from Eberechi Eze. But post-match, all eyes turned to the off-ball drama: Xavi Simons has now broken his silence, and his version of what sparked an exchange between Pedro Porro, Richarlison, and Declan Rice could change how Spurs fans view the entire meltdown.

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🔍 What Actually Happened on the Pitch

Tottenham coach Thomas Frank fielded a defensive setup, using a three-man back line early on. But that plan fell apart late in the first half, when Leandro Trossard opened the scoring and Eze doubled the lead in the 41st minute. Just seconds after halftime, Eze struck again — exposing Tottenham’s fragile structure. Richarlison offered a spark with a jaw-dropping 40-yard lob to make it 3–1, but Eze capped his treble in the 76th minute.

According to Opta, Spurs’ expected goals (xG) was putrid — a sign they just never threatened. Meanwhile, Spurs’ goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario apologized to fans, admitting they “didn’t fight” as a team.

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⚡ What Simons Claims Went Down

Here’s where things get spicy: Xavi Simons, who came on at half-time for Spurs, says the turning point wasn’t just tactical — it stemmed from an incident after he was fouled. According to his account, that confrontation sparked heated words involving Porro, Rice, and Richarlison. While nobody’s published verbatim quotes from Simons yet, those close to the squad suggest he told teammates he felt isolated, ignored, and even targeted in that moment.

This isn’t just “he said it was awkward” — Simons is being framed (internally) as someone who was provoked, and his reaction allegedly lit the fuse for a deeper breakdown.

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😡 Why This Is a Big Deal for Spurs

1. Mindset Crisis
If what Simons describes is true, Spurs’ problems go beyond bad tactics. It points to breakdowns in trust and internal relationships. That’s far scarier than conceding goals — that’s a squad fracturing under pressure.

2. Leadership Questioned
Declan Rice, normally composed, being pulled into a spat suggests something more than frustration — maybe even disrespect. For fans, this could raise questions about how much unity or discipline the team really has.

3. Simons Under the Spotlight
He was brought in to be a spark, a creative force. But if he’s admitting to being rattled so easily, Spurs need to reconsider how much he’s ready to handle high-pressure derby environments.

4. Media Fallout
This kind of accusation — especially if it’s confirmed — could dominate sports talk shows, fan forums, and social media for days. Spurs’ reputation takes another hit not just for losing, but for losing internally.

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✅ What Comes Next

Internal Review: Expect Spurs’ management to hold meetings behind closed doors. They’ll want to understand exactly what was said, by whom, and whether there’s a real rift.

Player Reactions: Porro, Richarlison, and Rice may all be forced to clarify their sides, either publicly or privately. How they respond could define the rest of the season.

Fan Pressure: Supporters, already furious about the 4–1 loss, will want accountability. This isn’t just a bad result — it’s a potential leadership meltdown.

Media Spin: Pundits will run with Simons’ remarks as evidence of Spurs’ internal collapse — and unless handled with care, it could snowball into a full-blown crisis.

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Bottom Line:
Simons’ version of events paints a volatile picture — not just of a match lost, but of a team losing its nerve. If his claims stick, this is not just going to be remembered as a derby drubbing. It could be the moment where Spurs’ season really unravels.