Away from the rebel chants pouring down from the South Stand, watching the menace of Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy gather around the thousand yards at full-time, Leicester’s joy was worth bearing in mind. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s strugglers have endured a bleak winter and, when they found themselves trailing to Tottenham at half-time, they resembled a team waiting for the sweet release of relegation. .
At this stage Leicester were on course for their eighth consecutive defeat in the Premier League, equaling the club record set in the 2000–01 season. Yet if history was a guide, playing Spurs was a positive. Leicester finally stopped the rot 24 years ago with a 4-2 win over the north Londoners.
Some clubs have a mystical style that allows them to win from impossible positions. The Spurs are the opposite. They heal opponents. They were in control of the game after Richarlison’s great header and yet they folded, 1-0 to 1-2 inside the first five minutes of the second half. The ever-present Jamie Vardy and the silky Bilal El Khanous scored the goals that lifted Leicester out of the bottom three, easing the pressure on van Nistelrooy.
This can be a clear conclusion for both parties. While Leicester reveled in the show of their defence, with Bukari Soumare in midfield, an injury-hit Spurs flew again. Postecoglou, who looked on the pitch with tired limbs and a foggy mind, is in trouble. Spurs are eight points above the relegation zone after one win from 11 games and it would be no surprise if this proves too far for Australia.
But it’s a lack that goes right over the top, which is why the venom directed at Levi felt so important. “Nothing will change until he’s gone,” was one Spurs fan’s verdict on the chairman whose 24-year tenure has produced just one trophy.
Perhaps, but Postecoglou can end his wait for silverware. Spurs are set to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, are still in the FA Cup and lead 1-0 on aggregate ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool. Postecoglou expressed hope that injured players would return. Maybe signatures will help. Supporters, though, have little faith in Levy investing properly in an ailing squad.
Postecoglou couldn’t hang around after Thursday’s crushing win over Hoffenheim. Pape Matar Sarr has been underpowered since his return to midfield, but the positive bulletin has been diluted by the latest absences of James Maddison and David Spence.
It felt disheartening when Saar lost possession in dangerous areas four times in the first 10 minutes. The anxiety was palpable, rising when Rodrigo Bentenker joined his fellow midfielder in giving the ball away early on. This upset Spurs and Leicester saw opportunities to push forward. Jordan Ayew was controlled by a shot from 18 yards. Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min made great saves from Jakub Stolarzic at the other end.
Son, who later hit the bar with a misdirected cross, fanned his chances against James Justin on the left. But with a weary Dejan Klosowski on the right, the main entertainment came from regular anti-Levi chants.
Discord was higher than ever. Levy, not Postecoglou, is blamed for years of underachievement. The end of the transfer window is approaching and Spurs have yet to strengthen a squad that is not up to the demands of European football. Postecoglou needs help, even if doubts over his tactics are fair.
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Spurs rarely keep clean sheets and even after going ahead they struggled. Puro crossed for Richarlison and the striker, in Dominic Solanke’s absence, stepped up after losing Wout Faes.
Leicester responded, Justin shooting low wide, and Spurs unraveled after half-time. Bentancur collided with Victor Christiansen but the advantage was played and Saar failed to react. Bobby De Cordova-Reid ran through the midfielder, latched on to Soumaré’s perceptive pass and headed past Vardy to score his 10th goal in 18 games against Spurs.
It took 58 seconds for Leicester to equalize after the restart. Von Nistelrooy looked like a motivated genius. The Spurs were stunned. They were still frozen when Bentenker made another mistake and Somare launched another counterattack. Reid fed El Khanos, Spurs retreated and the winger slotted past Antonin Kinski from 20 yards.
Levi’s anger grew. Postecoglou was dropped when Mickey Moore replaced Richarlison, who was sidelined with a back injury. The adaptation made sense. Betta moved into the centre, the introduction of Sergio Regillon for Sarr meant Archie Gray moved into midfield and Spurs came alive. Puro sends a free kick against the bar. Stolarzic saves from Klosewski.
Leicester lived dangerously, escaping when Puro shot wide from a tight angle. Postecoglou, again unable to fill his bench, looked to his right in disbelief. The crowd screamed. Lester held on tight. The Spurs are falling apart. Supporters want to see how Levy reacts.
