Slow to Start Spurs Successful after Strong Second Half Showing

Sunday 21st November 2021

Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 1 Leeds United

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London

Competition: English Premier League

"Pre-Match Thoughts – Big buzz around the return of club football following an International break where Kane was on fire for England scoring seven goals in two games. Bergwijn bagged one for the Netherlands too. Aside from the Internationals, Spurs' new boss had time on the training ground with those left behind, the likes of Alli, Ndombele and Dier. We know Leeds can be dangerous but they haven't been effective so far winning just 2 in 11. I think Conte will have had enough influence already to help them step it up a gear and start strong – 3-1 Spurs."

Tanganga was the surprise inclusion in the starting 11. He lined-up in a back three alongside Dier and Davies. Winks was given a big chance to prove a point too as he was brought into central midfield for the suspended Skipp.

It was a slow start from Spurs who were expected to come racing out the blocks all guns blazing but instead were flat and unadventurous. It allowed Leeds to settle into the game and we found ourselves on the back foot. It seemed to shock the support into silence.

There were a few half attempts at each end but nothing really threatened the goalkeepers.

Leeds continued to look the hungrier of the two sides by constantly pressuring the ball and not allowing us to play. Spurs were the opposite as they stood off the ball and let Leeds come onto them.

Then, just before the break, Harrison did well down the left side with a slick trick and nutmeg on Royal before muscling past him and delivering hard and low to the edge of the six yard box where Dan James managed to sneak in behind Davies and in front of Reguilón to tap home into the net from close range.

0-1. Leeds deservedly led.

Spurs were booed off at half time. Having been silent for most of the half, the fans needed to show some support.

"Thoughts at Half-Time – Far from what we were expecting from Spurs so far. They haven't looked the rejuvenated outfit we were hoping for under Conte. He has the chance to deliver his first hairdryer treatment team-talk now. Let's hope it pays off as we need to see a much better showing in the second half."

Within a minute of the restart Moura slid in Kane who took a touch before drilling one low from close range but Meslier got down to save it with an outstretched leg that knocked it onto the post and out for a corner.

Straight up the other end and Dan James would have snatched a second but for a good save from Lloris.

The frantic start to the half continued as Moura chipped one into the area that Son brought down on his chest before lashing a shot goalwards that deflected off a defender and crashed against the underside of the bar.

Moments later Reguilón whipped a dangerous ball in that was just out of Moura's reach but hit Kane and fell into the feet of Moura, he did well to pull it back to Højbjerg who scuffed his left-footed first time finish into the ground, but it bounced up and found the bottom corner out of Meslier's reach.

1-1. Spurs were back in it!

It was clear how much it meant to Conte as he went about celebrating and geeing-up the Spurs support.

He'd made his mark at the interval and a boosted Spurs side continued to push on the front foot.

The first change came with twenty to go as Tanganga made way for Sánchez.

He arrived just as Moura had won a free-kick outside the area following one of his driving runs at the heart of the defence. After much deliberation Dier stepped-up to take it and his effort deflected off the wall and onto the post. Reguilón was first to follow up and knocked it into the net.

2-1. Spurs had turned it around!

Conte is known for running his wing-backs into the ground to the point of having to take them off, and that's what we saw with ten to go as Reguilón was subbed for Sessegnon. An interesting change as we've hardly seen Sessegnon in the 2 years he's been at the club. Is this finally his time?

Moura made way for Dele in the final minutes. Conte followed the change by furiously gesturing his arms to the crowd to get them going again and help push his tired players over the line.

The whistle blew and Conte once again showed that passion he's famous for by fist-pumping towards the fans and fiercely congratulating his players.

"Thoughts at Full-Time – Booed-off at the break but cheered at the conclusion. Our new boss delivered in the dressing room and his side responded by coming back to win it in the second half. Spurs were more assertive and managed to outrun Bielsa's Leeds by 3.7km which is some feat. They were rewarded with two goals and the three points we badly needed. COYS!"

Tottenham Player Ratings

• 1. Hugo Lloris – 7 – Forced into making a quite a few decent saves. The best being from James' effort early in the second half.

• 25. Japhet Tanganga – 6 – Looked a bit shaky, especially with the ball at his feet. Did a few good things and he's still learning.

• 15. Eric Dier – 7 – Had to be the leader at the back and defended pretty well. His distribution wasn't great. Took the free-kick that struck the post and led to the winning goal.

• 33. Ben Davies – 7.5 – Another solid performance from him in that left centre-back role. Barely put a foot wrong.

• 12. Emerson Royal – 6 – Disappointing not to have delivered with a few of his crosses. Done too easily by Harrison in the build-up to their goal. Did some decent work down the right side.

• 5. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 7 – Looked off the pace in the first half but made up for it in the second by finding his second of the season to get Spurs back on level terms.

• 8. Harry Winks – 6 – Sloppy with even the simplest of passes in the first half. Timid performance. Didn't offer much. Improved in the second and found a few decent passes.

• 3. Sergio Reguilón – 8 – Missed a glorious chance to slide in Royal on the right just before half-time. Ran ragged up and down that left side. First to react to the free-kick and nicked the winning goal as reward. Clearly overjoyed to score his first goal for the club.

• 27. Lucas Moura – 8 – Full of running as ever. Every time he received the ball he looked to run at the Leeds defence. Lost possession at times as he tends to do but found the assist for the first and won the free-kick for the second. Put a solid shift in and received a well-earned standing ovation.

• 7. Son Heung-min – 7 – Showed some lively footwork and running in parts but didn't quite fall for him in vital moments. Unlucky to see a shot deflected onto the bar.

• 10. Harry Kane – 7.5 – Looked up for it today. Lively, sharp, clearly wanted a goal. Arguably should have had one but his hold-up play, passing and threat to the defence helped his team over the line. Shattered by the end as shown in stoppage time when we were 3 on 2 and he ran into a tackle.

Substitutions:

• 25. Japhet Tanganga <-- 68' --> 6. Davinson Sánchez – 7 – Solid when he came on. Won everything.

• 3. Sergio Reguilón <-- 79' --> 19. Ryan Sessegnon – 6 – Had one chance down the wing that he crossed early when he could have taken more time. Interesting to see if he's in for a resurgence under Conte.

• 27. Lucas Moura <-- 88' --> 20. Dele Alli – N/A – Brought on late. Didn't have an impact.

Man of the Match – 27. Lucas Moura