Match report: Spurs 3 Leicester City 1 (top four or even third?)
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
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