Five positives from 4-0 Tottenham Hotspur win over Leeds United

By Aaron Coe | Feb 27, 2022

Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min (L) celebrates with Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (R) after scoring their fourth goal from a pass by Kane during the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on February 26, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Jon Super / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JON SUPER/AFP via Getty Images) /

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LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 26: Ben Davies of Tottenham Hotspur blocks a chance on goal from Stuart Dallas of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on February 26, 2022, in Leeds, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Positive 4: Big defensive play not lapse

When precisely the mental lapses on defence started for Tottenham is hard to say, likely toward the end of the Mauricio Pochettino era. Those lapses and mental mistakes were not something Jose Mourinho could rid the club of, as Spurs continuously blew leads under Mourinho.

This season, Tottenham has been better protecting their leads, but they are still making mistakes defensively that are costing them goals. Fortunately, against Leeds, that mistake never fully materialized.

Hugo Lloris did have a terrible misplay which some great defence saved him blushes. Lloris had done the hard part coming some 40 yards away from his goal to cut off a Leeds long ball. However, instead of playing a good pass, Lloris gimped a hospital ball in the direction of Eric Dier.

Stuart Dallas stole the ball and then avoided a sprawling Lloris as he was off to the races. Fortunately, both Sessegnon and Ben Davies got back to defend. Sessegnon got to the goal line, and Davies met Dallas and the ball in the box to block the shot and end the chance.

Following the lapses that have led to Spurs dropping points over the last several weeks, not succumbing to any mental mistakes on defence was significant.