Match Report: Leicester City 2 Spurs 3 (totally amazing). Plus Preview of the Chelski v Spurs game on Sunday
FT 2-3
HT 1-1
Daka (24’minutes), Maddison (76’minutes)
Kane (38’minutes), Bergwijn (90’+5minutes, 90’+7minutes)
There have been some games in recent times that have been breathtaking. Such as our games against Ajax (away) and Machester City (away in the Champions League, a game which we lost, by the way, but went through on goal difference), and now our 3-2 victory over Leicester in the Premier League. All were away games, all games we thought we had lost and our hearts sunk, but in the last breathtaking minutes, we turned things around.
I was sitting next to Mel, and there were a few minutes to ago – and even though we played well, we were goners. The depression was sinking in, our heads were in our hands… and then… and then… Steven Bergwijn scored twice to win the game for us. Unbelievable… fucking unbelievable! As for the scenes below us… it was crazy, totally crazy. The fans and players mixed in ecstasy. Everybody jumping over each other…. The security couldn’t curtail them… and when the whistle was blown, Conte, himself, came over to get into the act. As for us, a few rows back, we were going crazy. The consequences of our late victory meant we were held in so that the Leicester fans could disperse. We were all totally gobsmacked. As for those that left early, because they thought it was all over… What can one say!?
The day started off with Mel and I travelling to Leicester (we left at 2pm), stopped at a service station, then got to the ground about 4ish and managed to find parking opposite the ground. Found a Spurs pub that Terry recommended and got ourselves a drink. Later Terry joined us. Then we all made our way to the ground – got a programme on the way – then talked to the Spurs Stewards (Lisa etc.… lovely people) and then we went in (after showing our COVID Passes).
Once in, got a drink then made our way to our seats. There was a lady next to me, who I ended up talking to. On the other side were father and daughter (more about them later).
Then the game started…
The long and short of it, Steven Bergwijn scored two injury-time goals as we fought back from 2-1 down – minutes to go –snatching an incredible victory at the Foxes hole in a thrilling finish. A gobsmacking finish!
Leicester were seconds, literally seconds, away from exacting our first Premier League defeat since Antonio Conte took charge. Then Bergwijn popped up and grabbed a 95th-minute equaliser from Matt Doherty’s pass. We got our draw, we yelled (that was some sort of consolation, we thought, after being the better side throughout the game). But there was more drama to come…
Bergwijn, who had just come on 10 minutes earlier, took the ball around goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel in the seventh minute of stoppage time and scored. It was crazy! We went crazy… huggings all around… I almost went flying over the seats, just managing to hang on.
… the players went back to the centre to restart, but just as quickly, the full-time whistle was blown… it was over. It was a fitting finale to a brilliant match.
But before those two brilliant goals…
Leicester had taken the lead against the run of play in the 24th minute with Patson Daka’s goal. Then up pops Harry Kane, who had earlier had a shot cleared off the line and also hit the crossbar, equalised just before half-time. He collected Harry Winks’ ball, cutting inside Caglar Soyuncu and side-footing past Schmeichel.
Half time…
I moved seats and went higher up at half-time as Mel texted me to say that a seat next to him was available.
Second half…
James Maddison then put Leicester ahead in the 76th minute after he had linked up with substitute Harvey Barnes. Once the goal went in, they thought they were collecting the three points. We bloody thought that they were also collecting all the points… as for as we were concerned… it was over… our fans started leaving in their droves… this was going to be a very depressing ride home… we were the better side, but they were going to take the spoils… we thought… but you know what thought does?
This result takes us above the Gooner Bottlers and into fifth place (we’ve got 36 pts).
We’ve got three games over the Spammers, who are fourth (with 37pts), but have one more point than us. Chelsea are third on 44 pts, but we also have three games over them. Win those games, and we are third. Which leaves City (1st) and Liverpool (2nd). Win our games in hand, and we would be two points behind the Scousers, and we’ve still got to play them. We’ve gone from shit under Nuno to dreams turning into reality under Conte (that is for a top-four place).
Leicester were playing for the first time in the Premier League in 2022 after games against Norwich, Everton and Burnley had been postponed because of Covid-19. This match had initially been scheduled to take place on 16 December.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane has scored 234 goals for us as well as nine for Millwall, five for Leyton Orient and two for Leicester during loan spells away from Spurs
Some statistics…
We had not been beaten in the Premier League since we lost 1-0 to the Spammers on 24 October when Nuno Espirito Santo was in charge.
That victory also set a new Premier League feat as we were behind at 94 minutes, 52 seconds – the longest time a team has been behind before winning a Premier League match. The previous mark had been back in May 2012 when Manchester City were trailing 2-1 at home to QPR after 91 minutes, 14 seconds before goals from Edin Dzeko and, famously, Sergio Aguero clinched City’s first Premier League title.
After the thrilling game, we were held back for a while, so the Foxes could scatter and bury their heads in the sand. As for us, we continued clapping, laughing, singing and just being in a joyous mood.
After that, we made our way to Mel’s car, had to wait 20 minutes before we were allowed out… then left and made our way to the nearest service station to get something to eat.
When we found a service station, we bumped into the father and daughter, who were sitting next to me in the first half of the game. Because I didn’t return, she was concerned that something had happened to me… I say thank you for being thoughtful. One Spurs fan thinking of another… xx
Terry’s thoughts of the match:
Positives from the day
- The 3 in midfield worked. Still surprised it did. Holgberg snd winks both made more positive passes in this game than all season !!
- Kane was back to his best, albeit missed a few !!
- Doherty had his 1st decent game for us when he came on
- Berwyn. The 2 goals hopefully give him confidence, and he stays injury-free.
- Energy levels and desire to keep going till the very end
He asked for royalties for reproducing this… and he is welcome… from nothing comes nothing… precisely what I am getting.
Finally arriving home at 12.40 am.
Next up, we’ve got the agents of the Russian empire (Chelski); however, before that, I am taking Janette to an Ipswich game. They will be playing Accrington Stanley… she has been an Ipswich supporter since she was a teenager… (but now an adopted Spurs supporter). The match ticket will also include hospitality and free parking! It is going to be an exciting weekend.
Chelski v Spurs Match Preview
As I won’t be able to write my review for this game, so here goes…
I think the lineup for that game will probably be the same as it ended against Leicester. I don’t think we’ve got any further injuries. As for my prediction; I am going for Chelski to score one while we score two or three (1-2 or 1-3).
Mel is driving on Sunday, and we are all meeting up for a meal before the game. It should be a real ring-dinger of a day. More so if we can get the points and go above the spammers.
Important games over this weekend
SATURDAY 22ND JANUARY
Manchester United v West Ham United
Southampton v Manchester City
SUNDAY 23RD JANUARY
Arsenal v Burnley
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
That is it, folks… we can breathe for another day and still keep the dreams alive. Yes, City might win the league, and Liverpool might not be that far behind, but the following two positions are up in the air (up for grabs). Chelski have started struggling, which leaves the Gooner bottlers and us… as for United… Nah! I don’t think so. So, all to play for… and then there is the January transfer window… get it right, and Bobs your uncle and your aunt fanny is just that… All to play for… as the Bishop said to the reclining actress! As for my friend Terry and the rest… bring it on, no doubt they are saying!
All the best, Glenn
COYS!
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, going on holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”
