Consent Preferences Spurs Odyssey Premier League Match Report - Spurs v Leicester, 26.01.25
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February 25, 2025

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Spurs v Leicester, 26.01.25

PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY, 2025
(2PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(1) LEICESTER CITY 2(0)

Spurs scorer:-
Richarlison, 33

Leicester scorers:-
Vardy, 46
El Khannouss, 50

Attendance:- 61,295

Referee:- Rob Jones
Assistants:- Ian Hussin, Neil Davies
Fourth official:- Andy Madley
VAR:- Chris Kavanagh
Assistant VAR:- Sian Massey-Ellis

Teams:-
Spurs (4-3-3):- 31. Kinsky; 23. Pedro Porro, 6. Dragusin, 33. Davies, 14, Gray (sub 42. Lankshear 90+4); 15. Bergvall, 30. Bentancur, 29. Sarr (sub 3. Reguilon, 54); 21. Kulusevski, 9. Richarlison (sub 47. Moore, 54), 7. Son (Capt.)

Subs not used:- 40. Austin; 8. Bissouma, 18. Yang, 64. Olusesi;63. Ajayi

Booked:- Reguilon (foul on Ayew)

Leicester (4-2-3-1):- 41. Stolarczyk; 2. Justin (sub 25. Coulibaly, 90+4), 3. Faes, 23. Vestergaard, 16. Kristiansen; 8. Winks, 24. Soumare; 18. Ayew (sub 4. Coady, 87), 11. El Khannouss (sub 40. Buananotte, 77), 14. Cordova-Reid (sub 22. Skipp, 86); 9. Vardy (Capt.) (sub 20. Daka, 77)

Subs not used:- 31. Iversen; 5. Okoli; 35. McAteer; 10. Mavdidi

Booked:- Cordova-Reid (dissent after foul on Son), Justin (foul on Moore), Winks (foul on Gray), Buananotte (foul on Gray), Stolarczyk (time wasting)

Tottenham has gone toxic

Spurs v Leicester, 26.01.25

"It's happened again!" That's just one of the chants we had to suffer from gleeful Leicester fans as we made our way down the High Road. The only other team they've beaten away this season was Southampton. Even Spurs managed that, but that was eight league games ago on 15th December. We've lost four consecutive games now in the Premier League. Our last home win was 14 games ago (9 at home) in early November. Leicester dragged themselves out of the bottom three to end their horrible run of seven defeats. Anyone can beat Tottenham now.

All excuses aside (Injuries and fatigue), I am fed up with writing about constant defeat. You must be fed up with reading about it. The fans in the stadium were directing their ire not at the coach, but at Daniel Levy. The "We want Levy out!" chant has previously been heard at away games and in pockets at home, but today they became increasingly vociferous. Firstly, during a lull in play in the first half (Leicester's "game management" ensured plenty of those), before we were losing and then of course in the second half.

The way things are going it's going to get more and more toxic at Tottenham. Whilst we are still 8 points above the bottom three, we've lost at home to Ipswich and drawn at home to Wolves. I have no confidence in us getting results in the return games, or against higher-placed opponents, and that's taking into account returning players.

Postecoglou's tactics are too open. There were gaps in midfield today and lowly Leicester were all over us like a rash - everywhere on the field, closing us down, and often stronger in the tackle. They paid for that in terms of bookings, but referee Rob Jones let them get away with nothing more than words over their successful strong-arm strategy for too long. Our players are just not strong enough in those situations.

Antonin Kinsky returned in goal, but there was no Djed Spence, or James Maddison in the squad. Postecoglou explained that Maddison was "a bit sore." He'll be even more sore after this defeat to his former team. Bissouma was included on the bench, but as he didn't get off it, I assume he was making up the numbers rather than being fit enough to play.

Before the game there was commemoration for Garry Brooke who died last week aged 64 and had been such a good servant in the eighties, notably in the 81 and 82 cup-winning seasons.

On a cold, wet and windy day, Spurs kicked off and played towards the North Stand. We played with the same back four as on Thursday, and Sarr also returned in midfield.

Leicester had some early attacks, and our defending was less than convincing. Increasingly, Spurs were giving the ball away in their own half as the game wore on. Richarlison had an early half-chance as he chased a long ball, but the Leicester keeper rescued the situation, as he did throughout the game with some good saves.

Mr Jones had "words" with Justin when he fouled Archie Gray, but subsequent infringements also went unpunished until the second half. Son's free kick from the left was pushed away by Stolarczyk.

The Leicester midfield was lively and Ayew had a shot blocked after a pass from El Khannouss. An Archie Gray cross was blocked, and the ball ran to Sarr, whose right-footed shot was held by the keeper. Soon after that, Son crossed; Kulisevski passed and Pedro Porro's rasping shot was saved.

A Leicester shot looped up and had to be pushed over his bar by Kinsky. It was Richarlison who headed clear after the corner.

Bergvall hit a lovely cross-field ball to Son, whose shot was pushed away by Stolarczyk for a corner. There was danger at the other end with 38-year-old Vardy looking lively. Kinsky held a shot by Justin.

The first "We want Levy out!" chants came as a Leicester player received treatment. Goalkeeper Stolarczyk came under pressure from Richarlison after a free kick before Son's shot was tipped onto the bar by the Leicester keeper.

Spurs had looked the more likely team to score, and the goal came from an excellent Pedro Porro cross, met by an unbeatable header by Richarlison, scoring only his second league goal of another personal injury-plagued season.

Justin took a pass from Winks before his shot went out with a deflection and Leicester had three successive corners. Pedro Porro was the most advanced player to run onto a long ball but hit the side netting with his shot.

Spurs suffered two stunning blows inside the first five minutes of the second half. We were guilty of passing backwards and inaccurately when Decordova-Reid hit a low cross from the left. Dragusin probably put off Kinsky, who did not collect cleanly, and Vardy scored from close range to score again against Tottenham. He made sure to gloat in front of the Spurs fans too.

In no time, Leicester had the lead after Pedro Porro hit a poor pass to Bentancur and possession was lost. El Khannouss was in too much space in the middle and scored with a 22-yard shot. Leicester had only managed two goals inn their run of seven defeats and now they had two in one game for the first time since drawing with Brighton on 8th December. Play against Spurs and any team's woes are cured!

Those "Levy out" chants returned. Leicester fans sang about winning away, which is a rarity after all. Vardy had another shot blocked after a cross from the right.

Postecoglou's decision to substitute Richarlison was booed, but presumably the bench knew kore about the fitness of our scorer and Pape Sarr. Mikey Moore and Sergio Reguilon came. Archie Gray moved forward.

Kinsky hit aa long ball to Kulisevski whose shot was diverted by a vital touch from the goalkeeper. Pedro Porro blasted a free kick which took a deflection and hit the bar.

Sadly, thereafter it was pretty much all huff and puff by Spurs with Leicester behind the ball. The goalkeeper was taking loads of time over his (predominantly long) kicks, and several Leicester players went down suggesting nasty injuries which required the referee to stop the game.

There was some combination play by Moore and Son. Pedro Porro upset the South Stand when he dribbled his way to the bye-line but then shot from a ridiculous angle, rather than cross. His effort hit the side netting. Ben Davies headed over from a free kick. Leicester held on for a much-celebrated three points.

Next Thursday night we host Elfsborg and need a win to ensure a direct path to the Europa League last 16. Personally, I worry more about where our next league point will be gained.

At the end of the game, a banner was displayed at the bottom of the South Stand, stating "24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy - TIME FOR CHANGE."

Time for Change

. John Ellis writes...

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