Year 2 of the Ange Postecoglou era began in decidedly disappointing fashion as wasteful Spurs drew 1-1 with Steve Cooper’s newly promoted Leicester City at King Power Stadium on Monday.
Spurs led at the break through Pedro Porro but only by one despite out-attempt Leicester 10-1.
The Foxes then scored on their first shot on target when Jamie Vardy headed an Abdul Fatawu cross past Guglielmo Vicario, and Leicester did not shy away from chasing a second goal.
Mads Hermansen’s five-save day was enough for a point, as neither team produced too many truly dangerous chances.
Spurs flummoxed by draw as Postecoglou stews
“When we are that dominant we should be out of sight,” said Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou after his side controlled a match at King Power Stadium but ended up holding on for a point at the end against a Leicester side expected to do very little this season.
Tottenham were superior for most of the game but switched off for a moment and it cost them points against a newly-promoted side. This top-four race is expected to be a monumental fight this season, and dropping points in situations is never going to be a good idea (Not that dropping points are ever a good idea, but we digress).
Spurs will get goals. Heung-min Son will finish. Dominic Solanke will finish. James Maddison will have a ton of assist-worthy plays like his cross for Porro’s goal. But they need to find their ruthless streak quickly and Postecoglou knows it.
“We do everything to score goals and we didn’t score,” he said. “The dominance is great but if you don’t score it is meaningless. We have to be stronger in our mindset in the front third. To be that wasteful tonight is disappointing. We just weren’t clinical.
“It’s not our football or effort. To get results you need to be a lot more ruthless in the final third. If we don’t, we won’t get the rewards our football should get. The responsibility is on me. That’s why you coach.”
Leicester vs Tottenham player ratings
Hermansen was very good and Wilfred Ndidi was joined by ex-Spurs man Harry Winks in making the midfield a no-fly zone. Ndidi also nearly found a late winner for the Foxes. Spurs did everything but score, and that’s why you see a sea of green on their Fotmob player ratings despite the disappointing result. The performance was there in every area save for the finishing touch.
(from fotmob.com)
Leicester vs Tottenham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Leicester vs Tottenham player ratings (from fotmob.com)
What’s next?
Spurs head home to host Everton at 10am ET Saturday, the same time Leicester visit Fulham.
How to watch Leicester vs Tottenham, stream link and start time
Kickoff time: 3 pm ET, Monday (August 19)
Venue: King Power Stadium
TV channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch via NBC.com
Leicester vs Tottenham live updates — By Nick Mendola
Leicester vs Tottenham final score: 1-1
Pedro Porro (29'); Jamie Vardy (58')
Jamie Vardy chatting stuff
Cameras catch Jamie Vardy pointing to the Premier League badge on his arm and indicating that he’s won one title to a Spurs’ players’ zero.
Cristian Romero seems most animated in reply, so perhaps it was the center back.
Rodrigo Bentancur injury
The hard-nosed Spurs midfielder is stretchered off after a collision in the 77th minute.
Vardy denied by Vicario
Jamie Vardy should really have the Foxes almost inexplicably in front, as he’s denied in-tight by Guglielmo Vicario.
He just misfired on another chance, too.
Leicester equalize! Who else?!
Jamie Vardy alone at the back post to put the Foxes’ first shot on target of the game into the net!
Halftime — Leicester City 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Porro’s goal is the only one, but Spurs have dominated the proceedings at King Power Stadium.
Tottenham have taken 10 of the game’s 11 shots and the 73% possession figure says a lot. Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen has three saves.
Leicester is free-fouling and doing its best to be annoying, but it doesn’t feel like they’re capable of producing real danger.
Tottenham break through — Pedro Porro goal (video)
Good stuff from James Maddison and Pedro Porro, the latter bursting inside from the right to turn a header home from former’s cross.
Spurs start brightly
Spurs have the first four shot attempts of the game, the latest Cristian Romero’s header just wide of the far post.
Leicester avoided conceding from a bad James Justin giveaway, but the Foxes have otherwise looked intent with their few passages with the ball.
Leicester City lineup
Hermansen, Justin, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristiansen, Winks, Buonanotte, Ndidi, De Cordova-Reid, Fatawu, Vardy.
Tottenham lineup
Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Solanke, Son
Leicester team news, focus
OUT: Conor Coady (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Patson Daka (ankle)
Tottenham team news, focus
OUT: Yves Bissouma (club suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Richarlison (calf), Fraser Forser (ankle)
Leicester vs Tottenham prediction
There is little doubt Spurs are going to score loads of goals this season, just as there is little doubt they are going to concede a bunch, too. Throw in opening-day nerves and a primetime Monday night kickoff, and there could be fireworks. Leicester 2-3 Tottenham.