Match report: Spurs 3 Leicester City 1 (top four or even third?)
It is not beyond the imagination that Tottenham and Arsenal get the top two spots after Liverpool & City, while Chelski slip to fifth. Yes, highly unlikely, but worth a punt.
Yes, a brilliant weekend was had with Tottenham beating Leicester City to claim the fourth spot (even though temporarily). But my weekend started before that…
Yes, it was Janette’s birthday on Saturday, with the highlight being a birthday party in the evening. A host of friends and loved ones paid tribute to the lady. Plenty of food and drink for everybody… it all created a memorable great Saturday evening.
After the party, we walked back to Janette’s place with what was left of her birthday cake and presents, finally getting to bed at 1 am. Then – because the Tottenham game kicked off at 2pm – we had to get up at 6.15 am. From Janette’s home, we travelled to Mel’s house to pick him up (which was in the opposite direction), then from his house to the Stadium… arriving at 10 am.
We thought that because we arrived early, we could get some goodies in the Spurs shop, unfortunately, they weren’t open and wouldn’t open until we were inside the Stadium (an opportunity missed to get some of our reddies… but their loss).
Once in the Stadium, we got our programmes (that is, Janette, Mel and myself)and then made our way up the escalators to where we usually sat. But… that wasn’t our destination…oh, no… Janet (from our group) booked a restaurant in the Spurs stadium where 16 of us had a three-course meal before the game. That restaurant table was also booked for the interval and after the game.
To the match…
Unfortunately, because I couldn’t get a ticket for Janette near me, she had to sit in block 307 (I am in 311), but luckily Mel was seated nearby, so he accompanied her to her seat (and their seats were in a better position than mine, on the halfway line).
On that glorious day, Son scored twice, and Harry Kane remembered his touch in front of goal as we beat Leicester to boost our hopes of a top-four Premier League finish.
Remember, in his previous five games, Kane was goalless
Son got the second after being picked out by Dejan Kulusevski, then curled in a sensational third for his 19th league goal of the season.
Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho scored a consolation.
Yes, we got back into the top four, unfortunately, the Woolwich plastic-gunners regained the spot by beating the Spamming blowing Bubblers later on that Sunday.
Thoughts…
Brendan Rodgers made eight changes to his starting XI, with our game in the middle of their two-legged Europa Conference League semi-final against Mourinho’s Roma.
That defeat for the Foxes keeps them in 11th in the Premier League table.
With matches against title-chasing Liverpool and Woolwich to come, we knew the importance of returning to winning ways against the Foxes. We had not won either of our two previous games; we were punished for a sluggish display in a home defeat by Brighton and unable to break down a stubborn Brentford last weekend.
Considering the amount of attacking talent at our disposal, the most startling thing about those performances was our inability to record a shot on target in either game. One of the mysteries of life!
We led at half-time at our magnificent Stadium with our only effort on target, then rediscovered our attacking energy after the break.
Our trusted duo upfront delivered for the first when Son clipped a corner towards the near post, where Kane had escaped his marker Daniel Amartey to power in.
Harry Kane has scored 19 goals in 18 games against Leicester in all competitions – more than against any other side
Second half…
Son, helped by the running and astuteness of Kulusevski, ensured there was no way back for Leicester.
The Foxes rejigged line-up made a confident start. Forward Ayoze Perez forced Hugo Lloris into a smart stop shortly before Patson Daka thumped the post. A dangerous cross from Marc Albrighton needed a swift intervention from Cristian Romero with Perez waiting.
Caglar Soyuncu’s inability to win a loose ball against Romero allowed Kulusevski to set up Son for our pivotal second.
Antonio Conte said after the game, “nobody could have imagined” the team would still be in the race for Champions League qualification when he arrived in November.
Two players I picked out for praise… and yes, there were others.
Romero: the Argentine defender’s first tackle went through Patson Daka, while his second challenge left Caglar Soyuncu on the ground without so much as an ounce of compassion from referee Jon Moss. Both tackles by Romero were excellent. The challenges resulted in Son getting his first goal.
Son needed no help at all with his second. Just when you thought the art of tackling was gone, Romero gave us all hope with the help of Moss.
Son: Two goals by the Korean may have put us back into the top four. He is quite capable of taking over Kane’s mantle. The question is, how long can we keep Conte when he is constantly being linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe?
On the subject of Conte, some football pundits have claimed that they couldn’t see him staying at Tottenham even if we qualify for the Champions League. However, I don’t think Conte would have accepted the job in the first place if he couldn’t see a future at the club. He will be aware that there are some world-class players at the club and a decent base to build on. If he stays, I can’t see no reason why we can’t challenge for trophies next season with three of four quality additions in the summer window.
Next up is Liverpool at Anfield… by the way; I predicted the correct result for the Leicester game… and I shall make a bold prediction that we will beat Liverpool as well. People said I was mad when I said we would beat City (we did the double over them), and I shall go for a win this time. If we do beat them, then we must defeat the Woolwich plastic gunners to have any chance of getting in the top four. Of course, it won’t be over if we do get wins in these games as we would still have to face Burnley at home and Norwich City away, which are the last two games of the season. Nevertheless, we must beat the Scousers and Plastic Woolwichers first.
After the game, we made our way back to our restaurant table and consumed more drinks and food, finally leaving about 5ish. We dropped off Mel at his house on our way home; Mel and Liz invited us in for tea and nibbles. A great time with two great hosts. After that, we got home at 10.15, time enough to sit down with a couple of wines to watch Match of the Day… and… you will never guess what…? Yes, we watched Spurs beating Leicester City all over again!
A happy ending to a great weekend.
COYS!
Glenn
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, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”