Hotspur HQ
Fansided

Matchday Live: Tottenham v Leicester City

By Ryan Wrenn

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Poppies are stuck to the Tottenham Hotspur badge ahead of the Rememberance Day outside the stadium prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at White Hart Lane on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Poppies are stuck to the Tottenham Hotspur badge ahead of the Rememberance Day outside the stadium prior to kick off during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at White Hart Lane on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Danny Simpson of Leicester City and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at White Hart Lane on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Danny Simpson of Leicester City and Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur compete for the ball during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at White Hart Lane on October 29, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Half-time Reaction

It started out nervy, with Leicester camping out in Tottenham’s third for much of the opening 15 minutes, but slowly the balance has shifted to the hosts.

Musa looked especially dangerous in the opening exchanges, and it seemed as if he might get the better of Walker. Slowly Wanyama and Dembélé grew into the game, however, and the ball worked its way up field. By the 30th minute, Tottenham were recycling possession forward and keeping pressure on Leicester’s defense.

Leicester have thrived on fouls, mostly in their own half. They have 14 to Tottenham’s three, but it’s the hosts who have picked up yellow cards — Rose and Son will need to be cautious in the second half.

More from Match Reports

Chances improved even with the persistent fouling, with Vertonghen doing well to set up a on-rushing Alli in the 39th minute. The 20-year-old hit the ball with power, but it richoted off the crossbar.

Minutes later, Leicester’s Robert Huth pulled Janssen down in the box off during a free-kick, resulting in the penalty the Dutchman himself took to give Tottenham the lead.

Tottenham are growing into the game, so there’s little need for Pochettino to make any changes at half-time. Leicester will continue to punt the ball upfield into the path of Vardy and Mahrez, but if Tottenham’s defense can stay vigilant the visitor’s luck won’t improve all that much.