Leicester 2-1 Tottenham: Foxes Produce Second-Half Comeback, Stun Spurs

Leicester City delivered an impressive performance against Tottenham Hotspur and while they surrendered an early goal, they still managed to secure the three points thanks to a huge comeback. Harry Kane opened the scoring for the Spurs in the first half, but Ricardo Pereira and James Maddison lifted Leicester to a huge win at King Power Stadium on Saturday.

New Squad, Same Old Issues for Spurs

Last season’s Champions League runners-up made several changes to the side that drew against Olympiakos earlier this week, with names such as Christian Eriksen, Hugo Lloris and Dele Alli out of the squad. The likes of Eriksen, Lucas Moura and Eric Dier settled for places on the bench, while Alli didn’t even make the 18-man squad.

The reasoning for this was Mauricio Pocchetino saying his players “lacked fight” against Olympiakos. But things didn’t change much at King Power Stadium. Sure, the Spurs scored first when Kane slotted home a clever flick from Son Heung-min. But the team crumbled after the break. That has happened quite often to the Spurs. Especially when they play on the road.

The VAR Played a Huge Role in This Match

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) ended playing a huge role on the development of the game. Leicester scored the first goal when Wilfred Ndidi pounced on a rebound in the 16th minute. However, his goal was ruled out due to an offside position.

Tottenham were also punished by VAR. They were up 1-0 when Serge Aurier netted what would have been a two-goal lead for the London-based side, but that goal was ruled out as well due to a previous offside from Son in the build-up of the play.

That situation proved to be critical, as Leicester equalized the game shortly thanks to Ricardo Pereira. And things went downhill for Tottenham afterwards.

James Maddison Saves the Day for Leicester

Maddison has been heavily linked with a move away from Leicester this upcoming summer. And performances like the one from Saturday’s match shouldn’t do anything to stop the rumour mill regarding then England international.

With the game 1-1 and Leicester throwing bodies forward, it was Maddison who would end up saving the day for The Foxes. The former Norwich star drilled a low effort past Paulo Gazzaniga to lift the hosts towards a huge result. One that proves their top-six credentials for the rest of the season.

Leicester now have 11 points in the standings, and have continued their impressive start to the campaign. Meanwhile, the Spurs extended their winless run away from home and have looked nothing like the side that reached the UEFA Champions League last season.

Match Report

Leicester City: Schmeichel (6); Ricardo Pereira (8), Evans (5), Söyüncü (6), Chilwell (6); Ndidi (5); Perez (5) (Praet (5), 67’), Tielemans (6) (Choudhury (-), 84’), Maddison (8), Barnes (5) (Gray (-), 82’); Vardy (5)

Bench: Ward (GK), Justin, Morgan, Albrighton

Tottenham: Gazzaniga (6); Aurier (5), Alderweireld (5), Vertonghen (6), Rose (6); Sissoko (5) (Wanyama (5), 67’), Winks (6), Ndombele (5) (Lucas Moura (-), 86’); Lamela (6) (Eriksen (-), 79’); Son (6), Kane (7)

Bench: Whiteman (GK), Davies, Dier, Skipp

Goals: Kane (0-1, 29’), Ricardo Pereira (1-1, 69’), Maddison (2-1, 85’)

Referee: Paul Tierney

Yellow Cards: Gray (LEI), Sissoko, Wanyama (TOT)

Red Cards: None