Tottenham, thanks to late heroics from super sub Steven Bergwijn, scored two last-gasp goals to deservingly take all three points in a stunning 3-2 win over Leicester.
Tottenham created loads of chances but, until the last five minutes, were unable make the most of them, allowing Leicester to have a chance at all three points. But what drama. What exhilaration. And what a cameo appearance from Bergwijn, who saved Tottenham’s bacon with a brace at the death. Still want to sell him, Mr. Conte?
While well deserved, it’s a win that could have turned out very differently.
Tottenham’s defence didn’t help their case, with the backline unable to deal with the Foxes’ counter. Leicester had only a few chances, but made the most of them.
It was by no means a perfect performance, but Antonio Conte will be thrilled by his team’s resilience and commitment to push for all three points until the final whistle. Truly a staggering three points, which propels Spurs over Arsenal into fifth place .
Here are the player ratings from a pulsating, heart-pounding evening in Leicester.
Defence
Hugo Lloris 7/10
Made some strong saves and didn’t really have a chance on either goal. One was deflected by Tanganga and the other was a shot from a couple yards out.
Japhet Tanganga 4/10
Let’s be honest. Japhet has been woeful in recent weeks. Things didn’t get much better this evening. He deflected James Maddison‘s shot past Lloris on Leicester’s second and has endured too many glaring moments of apprehension. He shanked a second half clearance and was nowhere to be found on Leicester’s opening goal. He hit one venomous drive directly at Kasper Peter Schmeichel.
Ben Davies 4/10
Didn’t have an impressive outing. While he’s not solely to blame for either goal, he should have been tighter to get a foot in on both. His half-hearted attempts to stick a foot in failed. Moments later he was picking the ball out of Spurs’ net. Wasn’t too influential going forward either.
Davinson Sanchez 4/10
Not good enough. Tottenham were put under almost no pressure all night, yet Davinson, along with his two centre back colleagues, were unable to snuff out fleeting moments of danger. Davinson got all turned around on Leicester’s first and needed to be either tighter to Harvey Barnes or had to drop off so he was in a better position on their second. He did neither, allowing Barnes to easily find Maddison. We all know what happened after that. Sanchez also missed a sitter at the back post, his header going wide from just three yards out.
Midfield
Sergio Reguilon 6.5/10
Lively throughout, the Spaniard was a thorn in Leicester’s side all afternoon. He made a few good crosses and enjoyed a positive afternoon. Wish he is better on his right foot. He attempted numerous cutbacks onto his right boot, but was letdown with his final touch.
Oliver Skipp 7.5/10
Oliver Skipp played in a slightly more advanced role, just in front of Winks. He had a brilliant through ball to Lucas Moura, which ended up on Pierre Hojbjerg‘s foot. Had it not been for Marc Albrighton‘s intervention, Hojbjerg would have scored. Skipp made a couple of outstanding tackles while tracking back and full tilt. A few careless passes, though nothing too glaringly bad. His energy is a real asset to Tottenham’s first team.
Harry Winks 6.5/10
Well, what a mixed bag from Harry. Looked excellent at times as Spurs’ deepest of the three central midfielders. His deliveries from corner kicks were exquisite, consistently putting the Foxes under considerable pressure. His namesake, Mr. Kane, should have bagged an open header in the first half, which he banged forcefully, and frustratingly, off the bar. Then Winks lost possession in the final third in the second half, leading to an almost-deadly Foxes’ counter. Hugo came to the rescue.
Pierre Hojbjerg 7/10
Playing in a slightly more advanced role on the left side of centre, Pierre did a lot of things right. He knocked a few precise long balls in step for teammates and got in a great position to score in the first half. However, facing a gaping goal, he chose accuracy instead of pace, which was knocked off the line by Albrighton. Hojbjerg’s through ball to Doherty led directly to Tottenham’s equalizer. He then intercepted after kickoff and played a smart ball to Kane, which led to Bergwijn’s winner. Wow! The last five minutes of his performance propelled the Dane to a 7/10.
Also made a few careless passes to concede possession too easily.
Emerson Royal 3/10
The Brazilian endured a pretty miserable night and was withdrawn at halftime. Not sure if he picked up a knock. Regardless, Royal made no impact on the first half and coughed up possession needlessly, too.
Forwards and Subs
Harry Kane 8/10
Harry Kane was Spurs’ most active player. He scored a brilliant goal, his 250th Tottenham goal, and created bundles of chances. His movement was excellent and he caused fits for Leicester’s backline. However, he wasn’t nearly clinical enough. Kane should have scored a hat trick in the first half and had a few half chances to bag one in the second, too. Assisted on Bergwijn’s winner. He has now scored 18 goals in 17 matches against Leicester.
Lucas Moura 6/10
Made one beautiful through ball to Kane, who blasted over wildly. Otherwise, he didn’t threaten nearly as much as expected. Didn’t look too comfortable in his role as the second forward.
Matthew Doherty 6/10
Started well but showed his palpable lack of skill thereafter. Had the right idea in mind when he tried to slot home with his left foot, but missed the mark badly in terms of execution. He made a terrible touch on Tottenham’s equalizer, but made the crucial run to get on the end of Pierre’s long ball. And that’s the only reason he gets a 6/10. Otherwise, it would have been a 4/10.
Giovani Lo Celso N/A
Gave the ball away in a terrible position. Didn’t do much otherwise.
Steven Bergwijn 10/10
I don’t know what to say, honestly. Incredible! The hero of the match with a brace at the death. That’s deserving of a 10. Admittedly, the first was a sitter that he had to score. But he did where other’s have failed. Cue Kane’s first half header and Pierre’s gaping-goal miss, though Albrighton deserves credit.
Bergwijn’s second was taken with aplomb and calming composure. Pinpoint with his final touch, the Dutchman banged in off the post to a rapturous reception from Spurs’ faithful.