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Offense flutters defense fails Tottenham Hotspur falls 3-1 to Leeds United

By Aaron Coe

LEEDS, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur look dejected after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on May 08, 2021 in Leeds, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Oli Scarff - Pool/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur look dejected after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on May 08, 2021 in Leeds, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Oli Scarff - Pool/Getty Images) /
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Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur look dejected after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur
LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Pierre-Emile Hoejbjerg and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur look dejected after the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on May 08, 2021, in Leeds, England. . (Photo by Oli Scarff – Pool/Getty Images) /

Having looked good early in the season and at points in the match, Tottenham Hotspur again flatters to deceive, in a 3-1 loss at Leeds United. After Leicester City again so graciously opened a door and with Chelsea slated to play at Manchester City, this latest Spurs failure is likely the straw that breaks the camels back on any top-four hopes this season.

Not gas enough in Tottenham tank

Everyone knew coming in the task was going to be more akin to the match against Manchester City than it was against Sheffield given the opposition. Leeds United is by no means on the level of City but the high intensity, on-the-front-foot style of play creates a unique challenge for their opposition.

Tottenham was making a bit of a go early but the typical mistakes in the back gifted Stuart Dallas an easy opener putting the Spurs behind. Falling behind Leeds is exactly where you do not want to be as it pulls you further into their all-out style, which Tottenham is clearly not ready for at this time.

Defense does the team no favors on the first goal

Serge Aurier should have probably put more pressure on Jack Harrison whose cross went across most of the goalmouth only to have Sergio Reguilón manage a decent effort on Hugo Lloris for an own goal, instead of an easy clearance. Lloris got down well but has been the case all season the Frenchman made no attempt to catch the ball leaving the rebound on the doorstep.

The overall footballing on the goal was terrible as there was no marking and only a pretense of defense. Spurs essentially gave a goal out of almost nothing. Now down one nothing, Tottenham needed to press and pressure more without getting too stretched, which has been difficult all season for this team.

Fortunately, the pressure paid off as Dele Alli was able to pick up the ball near midfield and run with it toward the goal. As Dele pushed with the ball, Harry Kane came screaming through making a diagonal run flashing from right to left in front of Dele.

As a couple of defenders ran with Kane and a couple more closed on him, Dele slid the ball over to Son filling the space behind Kane’s run. Heung-Min Son slotted home near post and the game was level. More importantly, the match was on at 1-1.