Premier League
Son Stunner Helps Tottenham Defeat Leicester
Goals from Son Heung-Min and Dele Alli helped Tottenham move back to third place in the Premier League with a comfortable victory over Leicester.
A stunning curling strike by Son gave Tottenham the lead just before half-time. Dele Alli doubled their lead early on in the second half.
Spurs were by far the better team throughout and were rarely troubled against a punchless Leicester side.
The win means Tottenham are just six points behind new league leaders Liverpool and are very much a contender in the title race.
Leicester got off to a bright start and almost got in behind the Tottenham defence on a few occasions.
However, despite getting into some good areas, the final pass was lacking.
As the first half wore on, Tottenham began to probe for the opening goal. Midfielder Dele Alli was looking a threat going forward.
On 29 minutes, a corner swung in by Son found Jan Vertonghen at the back post, but his header went way wide.
A minute later, Leicester were caught sleeping as Dele Alli got inside the box from a throw in.
He tried to pick out Son inside the penalty area, but Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy made a crucial interception.
Just as the first half looked destined to be goalless, Spurs forward Son Heung-Min scored a spectacular goal.
The South Korean international picked the ball up 20-yards out. He then brilliantly curled the ball into the top right hand corner of the net.
It was the one moment of quality, in a half which saw neither keeper severely tested.
Half Century For Dele Alli
Leicester finally had their first shot on target after 53 minutes. Demarai Gray curled a decent shot from 25-yards out but it lacked any power and was comfortably saved by Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal.
On 58 minutes, Tottenham doubled their lead. Lucas Moura played the ball out wide to Son. The South Korean then played a brilliant cross into the box, which picked out Dele Alli at the back post.
The English midfielder then headed the ball beyond Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester goal for his 50th goal for Tottenham.
Leicester were struggling to create any clear cut chances and were badly missing star striker Jamie Vardy, who was missing due to a groin injury.
Spurs almost made it three with 20 minutes to go. Dele Alli played the ball out wide to Ben Davies. The Welshman’s cross into the box found Serge Aurier but his header went wide.
The closest Leicester came to scoring was a curling shot from just outside the box from Rachid Ghezzal but his shot was easily saved by Lloris.
Overall it was a comfortable victory for Tottenham, as they saw the game out with ease.
Pochettino Gamble Pays Off
It was a huge gamble by Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino to leave out Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen from the starting line-up.
Of course, it was perfectly understandable with Barcelona to come in the Champions League on Tuesday night, which is a crucial clash.
However, given both Chelsea and Arsenal had moved above them in the Premier League table, with wins earlier in the day, it was a big call to rest his two best players.
Pochettino will be delighted that the gamble paid off. Defensively Spurs were solid and Dele Alli was outstanding in midfield.
Overall it was the perfect preparation for the crucial encounter at the Camp Nou, which will be a completely different test.
The win means they are only six points behind Liverpool and are very much in the title race.
They have struggled against the big teams this season, with defeats to Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Despite this, they are still very much in contention and their fans will be dreaming that they can win their first English league title since 1961.
Leicester Miss Vardy
Leicester started brightly and got into some good attacking positions.
However, too often the final pass let them down. They were lacking a focal point up front, someone who was able to run in behind the opposition’s defence.
It was huge blow that star striker James Vardy was missing due to a groin injury.
Leicester boss Claude Puel will be eager to have the English striker back as soon as possible, as they were at times completely toothless in attack.
Vardy is expected to be out for at least 10 days and with the busy festive programme on the horizon, they will be hoping to have him back as soon as possible.
The defeat was Leicester’s first in seven Premier League games. However, out of those seven they have won only two.
Claude Puel will be hoping they can turn draws into wins in the coming weeks and climb the Premier League table.
Next up for Leicester is Crystal Palace away in the Premier League.
For Tottenham they travel to the Camp Nou to face Barcelona in a massive Champions League encounter.
Photo credit to Spurts Official via Twitter
