Ange Postecoglou acknowledged that Tottenham were “wasteful” and lost their composure as Jamie Vardy’s second-half equalizer earned Leicester a 1-1 draw against his profligate side on Monday.
Promoted Leicester managed to escape unscathed despite Tottenham’s numerous missed opportunities, which followed Pedro Porro’s first-half goal for the visitors at the King Power Stadium. Vardy capitalized on Tottenham’s erratic finishing with a trademark header, making a surprising appearance just days after being ruled out by Steve Cooper due to a pre-season injury.
The 37-year-old has now scored nine Premier League goals in 17 appearances against Tottenham, who left the pitch wondering how they failed to overwhelm Leicester during their dominant first half. Tottenham, who finished fifth in Postecoglou’s first season, saw their all-out attack strategy eventually backfire, costing them Champions League qualification.
Once again, Tottenham were undone by poor finishing and shaky defending. Dominic Solanke, making his debut after a move from Bournemouth for a fee that could rise to £65 million ($84 million), was particularly at fault.
“Disappointing night for us. First half excellent and controlled the game but wasteful in front of goal. Once Leicester scored, the crowd lifted and we lost our composure,” Postecoglou said.
“It was an issue we had last year as well. We need to keep working hard and be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. At times we made poor decisions.
“The dominance is great but if you don’t score it is meaningless. We have to be stronger in our mindset in the front third. To be that wasteful is disappointing. We just weren’t clinical.”
Leicester are back in the Premier League after winning the Championship to end their one-year absence.
Amid reports the Foxes could face a points deductions for breaking financial rules, new boss Cooper needs to hit the ground running if they are to avoid relegation and this gritty display was an encouraging start.
“I was as fit as a fiddle until I got to about 65 minutes if I’m honest!” Vardy said.
“Tottenham are a really good team but we have them too much respect. We started getting after them and it changed the momentum.
“When we are at the top of our game we can give anyone a run for their money.”
Tottenham nearly took an early lead when Wilfred Ndidi cleared Rodrigo Bentancur’s shot off the line, followed by Mads Hermansen saving Brennan Johnson’s powerful rebound attempt. Dominic Solanke’s diving header was easily handled by Hermansen, and Cristian Romero then nodded Pedro Porro’s cross just wide.
– Sloppy Tottenham –
Solanke tested Hermansen again with another header, but Tottenham’s pressure finally paid off in the 29th minute. James Maddison delivered a perfect cross into the Leicester box, where Porro timed his run impeccably to flick a header into the far corner from 12 yards out. Maddison nearly set up another goal moments later with a brilliant cross that Johnson narrowly missed.
Early in the second half, Solanke squandered another opportunity by shooting straight at Hermansen, who also denied Bentancur’s close-range effort.
Tottenham’s wastefulness proved costly in the 57th minute when Leicester scored from their first shot on target. Tottenham’s defense was caught flat-footed as Vardy was left unmarked in the six-yard box to head in Abdul Fatawu’s cross.
It was the type of sloppy goal that plagued Tottenham during their struggles late last season. Vardy nearly capitalized on more disorganized defending, breaking onto Bobby Decordova-Reid’s pass but failing to beat Guglielmo Vicario.
Bentancur was left prone on the pitch after an awkward collision, requiring treatment for seven minutes and oxygen before being stretchered off for potential concussion monitoring. Tottenham appeared rattled, and Vicario had to make a crucial save, diving to his left to keep out Boubakary Soumare’s header in stoppage time. In a fitting conclusion to Tottenham’s inconsistent evening, Richarlison nodded wide from close range.
