Tottenham and Liverpool split the spoils in hard-fought 2-2 draw

The second half started with more of the same for Spurs, as more chances popped up and more chances were spurned in the process. An on-form Kane probably would have scored twice in three minutes, however, this current version of Spurs’ talisman missed two golden opportunities.

First, Dele Alli timed a perfect run over the top in the box. Dele controlled the ball and then squared to Kane as Allison came to cut the angle. Kane hit the ball on his first touch but the scrambling Allison came over and blocked the attempt.

If Kane were on form he probably takes a touch, rounds the keeper, and tucks it home, or even chips a dink over Allison. However, this current version of Kane went for the first time tuck and the opportunity was lost.

Less than three minutes later, Kane found himself all alone at the back post as a corner somehow deflected right to him. Kane got up and turned the ball well on goal but it bounced a bit high off his head and fell harmlessly over the crossbar. If he were on form, Kane likely buries both, instead, two more chances were missed and Liverpool made Spurs pay.

Liverpool leverage Tottenham distraction

Liverpool’s second goal started with Tottenham in the box on the attack. Dele again timed a good run over the top and brought the ball down on his chest. As he was running through on goal, it looked like Trent Alexander-Arnold push him in the back with two hands as Dele went down and Allison got the ball.

The crowd and Spurs players were quite upset over what had just transpired but Liverpool was on their way in the other direction. A ball that Mo Salah seemingly handled off his head in the box was punched away by Hugo Lloris but not far enough.

Liverpool recycled the ball across the goal and into the back of the net as Andrew Robertson headed the ball in at the far post just in front of Emerson Royal as players from both teams were lying all over the pitch, including Salah in the goal.

Reportedly VAR looked at everything and in the end, it was deemed a Liverpool goal and it looked like Liverpool would again win.

Two moments of madness from Liverpool change the game

The first moment of madness from Liverpool came as Allison came rushing out to the edge of the box to try and beat Son to the ball. Winks played a good through-ball forward as he had most of the game.

Allison was out of control and as he slid to clear the ball and missed leaving Son alone in on the goal. This was one Spurs were not going to miss and Son easily passed the ball into the empty net to tie the score at two.

As both teams looked to find three points the intensity continued to rise and this led to a rash moment from Andy Robertson. First, Robertson had lost the ball in the attacking third out on the edge. As Emerson Royal was moving up the pitch, Robertson came through with a reckless kick taking Royal out.

Initially, Paul Tierney did as he did all day, he got the call wrong, showing a yellow card. However, VAR was quickly in Tierney’s ear and the referee was at the sideline monitor reviewing the play. There was never any doubt the challenge was reckless and unnecessary and Robertson saw red.

Tottenham leveraged to the one-man advantage enough to hold on and split the points with Liverpool.

The draw leaves Spurs in 7th place, six points back of Arsenal in fourth with three games in hand. Liverpool stays in second, three points back of Manchester City at the top of the table.  Both Spurs and the Reds return to action on Boxing Day next Sunday, as Liverpool host Leeds and Tottenham host Crystal Palace.