Premier League
Tottenham Edge Past Leicester At Wembley
Tottenham maintained their title hopes after a hard fought win against Leicester City at Wembley.
Goals from Davinson Sanchez, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min helped secure the three points and close the gap at the top to just five points.
Leicester made it hard for Spurs and missed plenty of opportunities including a missed penalty from Jamie Vardy.
The English striker was left on the bench but came on and gave the Foxes hope midway through the second half.
But as they piled forward looking for an equaliser, they were caught on the break by Son who wrapped up the victory.
Lucky Spurs
Leicester almost opened the scoring after just seven minutes. A great curling free kick into the box by James Maddison found Harry Maguire who’s header was tipped over the bar by Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal.
Two minutes later, Leicester spurned another good chance to take the lead.
A great through pass by James Maddison picked out Harvey Barnes. However, the Leicester midfielder dragged his shot wide from just inside the penalty box.
Leicester were dominating the midfield, in particular Youri Tielemans who made an impressive start on his Premier League debut.
Just past the half hour mark, Leicester wasted another chance to take the lead.
Ben Chilwell played a through pass to Harvey Barnes, who managed to get in behind the Tottenham defence.
Howeve, once again he dragged his shot wide when he should have hit the target.
Leicester were to pay for their missed chances, as just minutes later Tottenham took the lead.
A great curling ball into the box by Christian Eriksen was headed into the net by Davinson Sanchez for his first goal for Tottenham.
Leicester’s defence appealed for offside but Sanchez looked like he was just level.
Leicester Pay The Penalty
On 58 minutes, Leicester were awarded a penalty after Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen was adjudged to have fouled James Maddison.
It looked a harsh decision as there didn’t appear to be too much contact.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, who was left out of the starting line-up, immediately came on and stepped up to take the penalty.
Hugo Lloris in the Spurs goal guessed right and parried the ball away to keep Tottenham in front.
Leicester were made to pay for Vardy’s penalty miss, as Tottenham doubled their lead just five minutes later.
Christian Eriksen curled a brilliant shot from just outside the penalty area into the net.
A minute later, the Foxes should have got a goal back. Jamie Vardy played a through ball to Harvey Barnes who’s shot was saved by Hugo Lloris when he should have scored.
Son Wraps Up The Victory For Spurs
Leicester looked like they running out of steam but grabbed a goal back with 15 minutes remaining.
A neat one two between Ricardo Pereira and Rachid Ghezzal allowed Pereira space to deliver a dangerous ball into the box.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy was able to get in front of his marker and tapped the ball into the net to give the Foxes hope.
With nine minutes to go, Vardy almost levelled for Leicester. A ball into the box by Ricardo Pereira found the English striker but his volley went just wide.
Tottenham wrapped up the victory in injury time.
A clearance by Moussa Sissoko set Son in on goal with only Schmeichel to beat.
The South Korean calmly strode towards goal and slotted the ball into the net, to keep Spurs in the title hunt.
Spurs Battle To Another Win
Tottenham weren’t at their best by a long way and didn’t deserve to be in front at half time.
However, once again they ground out another victory to keep themselves firmly in the title race.
Considering they have been missing the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli to injury over the last few weeks, to be only five points behind Liverpool at the top of the Premier League is quite an achievement.
Christian Eriksen’s superb second goal helped seal the victory and Mauricio Pochettino will be desparately hoping that he signs a new contract.
If Spurs are to win the Premier League title, they will need the likes of Harry Kane and Dele Alli back soon.
Especially when they have to visit Anfield and the Etihad over the next few months.
This is a critical period in the season for Tottenham with Dortmund to come in the Champions League and back-to-back London derbies against Chelsea and Arsenal at the end of the month.
Missed Chances Cost Leicester
Leicester will be wondering how they lost this match.
For large spells the Foxes were the better side and created numerous opportunities.
However, time and again they couldn’t take advantage. Surely they should have started with Jamie Vardy up front.
Also, why did Vardy take the penalty when he was only just on the pitch?
Both those calls eventually cost Leicester and piles the pressure on Claude Puel.
The Foxes haven’t won in the Premier League since New Year’s Day and despite the positives from this performance, it was another defeat.
Next up for Leicester is at home against Crystal Palace in two weeks time.
Meanwhile, Tottenham face Burnley away also in a fortnight’s time.
Photo credit to Tottenham Hotspur via Twitter
