Leicester City brushed aside an error filled Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs lost more ground in the Premier League title race after a 2-0 home defeat to Brendan Rodger’s team.
Error Filled Tottenham Hotspur Brushed Aside
Negative and Unambitious Spurs Punished by Leicester City
Tottenham’s tactic of allowing teams to have the ball and play on the counter-attack has served them well for most of this Premier League season but in the last three games, it has been their undoing.
In the draw against Crystal Palace, they were thwarted by a keeper on top of his game but also allowed old mistakes to rear their ugly head by giving away a cheap free-kick and a late equaliser. It was a late winner from a set-piece that cost Spurs at least a point at Anfield when they failed to defend a corner properly.
Against Leicester City, Serge Aurier committed an unnecessary foul allowing Jamie Vardy to subsequently score from the penalty spot. The errors that have stopped Spurs winning any trophies since 2008 seemed to have been eradicated under Jose Mourinho but now they seem to have returned once more.
Leicester City played on the front foot from the start of the game whilst Tottenham were negative and lacked any invention throughout.
VAR Drama
Leicester City thought they had doubled their advantage in the third minute of the second half only for VAR to rule that James Maddison had strayed offside before firing past Hugo Lloris. They got their deserved second through a Toby Alderweireld own goal on the hour mark.
Jamie Vardy won a header at the far post thanks to some poor defending fro and his header was turned into the back of the net by Toby Alderweirald. It was more evidence of those old errors and lack of concentration starting to creep in and they will be a major concern for Mourinho.
Incoherent Spurs
Spurs spend a lot of time without the ball but against Leicester City, they were incoherent with the ball. Far too many passes went astray and their attacking intent was almost nil.
Harry Kane headed one cross over the bar and dropped deep to try and make things happen but all too often Spurs just gave the ball away. Leicester were comfortable throughout the match and had everything that Tottenham lacked.
What a Difference a Week Makes in the Premier League
After the draw away to Crystal Palace on Sunday, Spurs were top of the Premier League table. Seven days and eight dropped points later they are fourth in the table and six points adrift of Liverpool.
Things could get worse for Spurs if Manchester United beat Leeds United in the early evening kick-off at Old Trafford which would see them drop to fifth and Manchester United would have a game in hand.
Error Filled Tottenham Must Learn
Tottenham have to learn from the last three games. Setting up to defend and soak up pressure is all well and good in certain games but Jose Mourinho appears to have developed a blind spot and is either unable to use a plan B or is making a point to the media who have criticised his team’s style of play.
The tactic has worked against Arsenal, but teams are getting wise to it and Tottenham’s players are starting to look lethargic and don’t know what to do when they have the ball.
If Tottenham want to remain in the title race, which they are still in, for now, the error-filled performances have to be eradicated. They need to get hold of the ball much more and attack teams. Failing to do so has cost them in the last three games. Continuing in this way will not only see Spurs drop away from the top of the table, it will see them struggle to even make the top four.
The warning signs are clear and there for all to see. The warnings need to be heeded otherwise the 2020/21 season will be yet another case of what might have been. A feeling all too familiar in the past 12 years for Tottenham Hotspur.
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