Kane was also criticised for going down too easily against Newcastle under a tackle from Jamaal Lascelles, and he didn’t receive a penalty on either occasion.
But Nicol explained on ESPN FC that he believes the forward isn’t as sharp as he should be, and that is the reason he has been going down easily.
“Craig [Burley] said that Harry Kane hasn’t been sharp recently, that bears out,” he said.
“Both challenges that people are saying he dived, he got the timing completely wrong.
Harry Kane has been criticised for going to ground too easily (Image: GETTY)
Harry Kane was criticised for apparently diving against Arsenal (Image: GETTY)
“If he was at his best and at his sharpest and focused, he’d get the timing correct and would get the penalty.
“I’m saying he’s not a diver, he’s looking for contract, that’s always been allowed, it’s nothing new.
“If the defender is stupid enough to barge into you, that’s his problem, not the guy with the ball.
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Harry Kane scored a hat-trick against Bulgaria (Image: GETTY)
“If a guy is going through on the goalkeeper, he’s not going to throw himself on the ground or try and get a penalty.
“It always happens when the striker is holding the ball out before it goes out of play, or he’s facing away from goal.