Tottenham faced a frustrating 1-1 draw against Leicester City, with missed opportunities proving costly. Explore the match highlights and analysis here.
Introduction
Steve Cooper returned Leicester City to Premier League action with a fighting display that earned them a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. It was a game in which Jamie Vardy again proved his value, and Tottenham’s inability to turn their dominance into goals handed Leicester the chance to snatch a precious point. The match witnessed some significant moments; tactical insight into the match and further implications for both sides as the season continues to progress in the league.
See also: Brentford Secures a 2-1 Victory Against Crystal Palace: Premier League
First Half: Spurs Dominance but Failure to Capitalize
Tottenham’s Early Control: Tottenham Hotspur went to the King Power Stadium to stamp their intentions out early in the tie with an attacking performance. Ange Postecoglou’s side dominated matters, with James Maddison running things in midfield. Maddison, on his return to old club Leicester, found himself at the heart of everything that Tottenham did, and it was he who created Pedro Porro’s 29th-minute header. His delivery from a clipped ball released Porro, whose guide into the bottom-right corner has left Leicester’s defense in a predicament.

Missed Chances
The Spurs continued to dominate and further failed to build on the lead, missing a plethora of good chances. It was another exquisite cross by Maddison when Brennan Johnson was unmarked at the back post, volleying wide. Afterwards, Mads Hermansen proved to be Leicester’s best goalkeeper on the day, turning out both Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke. All these misses were bound to cost the visitors dear later on in this match.

Second Half: Vardy Hits Back
Fight of Leicester: So Leicester City came into the second half of this match with much determination, having absorbed Tottenham’s pressure in the first half. A hail of noise erupted from the home supporters, who started much higher up the field and harassed Spurs for the ball, putting them off their rhythm. This swing in momentum ultimately ended with Jamie Vardy equalizing in the 57th minute. A well-placed cross from Abdul Fatawu found Vardy at the back post, where the veteran striker nodded past Guglielmo Vicario to the delight of the Leicester faithful.

Vardy’s Impact
A testament to the enduring quality and sharpness Vardy still holds in front of goal at 37 years old, his instinctive movement and clinical finishing were reminiscent of old. It was a potent reminder as to why he remains the talismanic figure for Leicester. Vardy went so close to putting Leicester in the clear not long after that, Vicario bailing out with an extraordinary reflex stop to deny him a second.

Tactical Analysis
Leicester’s Defensive Organization: Well-structured defense by Steve Cooper’s Leicester City, especially in the second half. The Foxes marshaled a backline of Wilfred Ndidi and Caglar Soyuncu, which stood against the attacking waves by Spurs. Ndidi marshalled the backline and was a thorn in the flesh with his breaking up of play and shielding of the defense, while Soyuncu won everything through the air to nullify any looming threat posed by Solanke and Richarlison.

The ineffective finishing was a real thorn in Tottenham’s flesh and has been an issue that has haunted the Postecoglou sides: Spurs dominated possession and racked up several scoring opportunities but failed to convert owing to the absence of a clinical finisher when it mattered most. Their failure to add a cutting edge up front could prove costly to their hopes of finishing in the top four this campaign.
Player Performances
James Maddison: The Unrewarded Maestro. Maddison’s King Power Stadium return a mixed affair, littered with a few moments that show the quality of the man. The former Leicester man was at the heart of the best Tottenham had to offer, although he was booed by large sections of the home crowd. His vision and range of passing were on show throughout the match, mainly when picking out Porro for his goal. Ultimately, however, his efforts were not enough to secure victory for Spurs as he is let down by others around him.

Mads Hermansen: The Danish Wall. By far the man of the match was Leicester’s goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen. His crucial saves kept Leicester in the game, especially in the first half when Spurs were most dangerous. It gave Leicester a clear base from which to seek a route back into the match with Leicester’s composure and shot-stopping ability.
Implications for the Season
Leicester’s Steely Resolve: Before last weekend, the draw had to calm the nerves of Leicester City upon their Premier League return. Steve Cooper’s side proved they could mingle with top-level opponents, and with Vardy still leading the line, the Foxes have a proven goal scorer to get them out of a fix. However, Cooper is aware that big improvements need to be made—most of all, ball retention and a larger proportion of chances created from open play.
Tottenham’s Search for Consistency
This would be seen as two points dropped by Tottenham rather than a point gained. If Postecoglou is to fashion his side challenge for Champions League this year, he must find a solution to his side’s profligacy in front of goal. Maddison impressed, but if Spurs cannot find themselves a reliable goal scorer, they will likely be frustrated in their fight for results against the best in the league—something their ambitions demand2019.
Conclusion: Tottenham faced a frustrating draw
It’s a game that the visitors missed a number of chances and witnessed great defending from the hosts, as Leicester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham Hotspur. Jamie Vardy’s late equalizer underlined his importance to Leicester, while Spurs were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal. Both teams really build on what happened here as the Premier League season wears on; Leicester needs more solidity in midfield, whereas Spurs are looking for a more clinical edge.