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.
Tottenham never recovers from the next bad break
The game went back and forth with Hugo Lloris showing a strong hand on a Jack Harrison stinger. Then following a couple of corners from Leeds, it looked like Tottenham had taken the lead. This time Son was feeding the ball forward to Dele who had made a diagonal run to get between the Leeds lines.
This time it was a deft, one-touch pass to the hard-charging Harry Kane that looked like it was assisting Dele’s second on the day – and the season in the Premier League. But then up came the flag and Kane was called offside.
I mean it's just absurd isn't it? pic.twitter.com/E5whcivqHj
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 8, 2021
As VAR showed the replays, it was hard to see any difference at all between Kane and the last defender. And while even is onside, apparently there is not such a thing in VAR technology. I guess there are only dead heats in million-dollar horse races. Understanding soccer still thinks even is on as shared by John Clesse.
The decision took all the wind out of Tottenham’s sails, robbing Dele of that second assist and Kane of that first goal under Ryan Mason. Dele Alli had a decent afternoon but came off with 25 to go and Spurs needing a goal. Maybe it was fitness but it maybe was a poor decision on Mason’s part. Kane ran hard all day but was kept quiet managing only two official shots, with one a free-kick that deflected off the crossbar.
Leeds finished it before the break
With just under five minutes left in the first half, the continuous pressure from Leeds paid off as the overload being applied on Serge Aurier left Alioski with an easy crossing opportunity. This time Eric Dier failed to pick up the run of Patrick Bamford. The Englishman did as he has all season and redirected the ball past Lloris for his 15th goal of the season.
The worst part was Bamford was literally the only Leeds player in the box and Tottenham had several players standing around watching it all occur. The overlap came and Bale left Aurier alone. Bamford flashed and no one said a word. The cross came in less than 3 feet in front of the post and Lloris just stood.
Tottenham not on target
Tottenham went for it for a bit in the second half as both Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son had opportunities within minutes of each other. First Kane was driving toward the goal but he dragged his shot wide. As Kane lay face-first on the turf after, he knew he had missed a chance. Then Son was played in on the left and his shot beat Meslier just not the post.
Tottenham continued to try and pressure and Mason made his change at 67 minutes with Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura coming on for Dele and Bale. Dele was okay on the day and got the assist, Bale was invisible outside a few defensive moments. Yes, he did defend some, just not enough.
Tottenham tried to push and then ultimately paid the price as Leeds caught Spurs on the counter. You can blame defenders for whatever on the last goal but they simply got caught. If anything the backline should have stepped up quicker for an offside call but likely it would not have come anyway.
Ultimately, Tottenham did not do enough to win. Leeds out passed Tottenham in both attempts – 439 to 390 – and accuracy – 79% to 75%, according to whoscored.com. After having an easy knock around with 91% passing last week against Sheffield, we saw the real Spurs today. Tottenham wilted under the pressure and simply cannot pass or defend well enough to win., which has been the story of the season.