In the most topsy-turvy match of Spurs season thus far, the home side stormed back late to prevail in a 4-3 home thriller over Leeds United.
With Harry Kane and Dejan Kulusevski, Spurs always offer a threat going forward. But they’re overall game is light years away from where it should be, mostly due to too many inferior and subpar individual displays.
However, Spurs got the job done in the end, a testament to the team’s resilience and ability to nullify woeful starts.
Tottenham has definitely lost a lot of its early season flow, swagger and confidence. The World Cup break couldn’t come at a better time, as Spurs players need a change of environment and some time away to take stock of recent poor defensive performances.
Antonio Conte’s side are defensively loose, susceptible to careless, inexplicable mistakes that used to be a rare occurrence under the Italian’s tutelage. Lately, Spurs have more resembled Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham, a side always vulnerable to concede.
But when you can score in bundles, like Tottenham does, you always have a chance to prevail. Here are the player ratings from Tottenham’s frenetic and wild 4-3 shootout win over Leeds.
Defence
Hugo Lloris 6/10
Hugo Lloris didn’t really have a chance on either of Leeds’ first half goals, and made a solid save on Crysencio Summerville’s when his side were down 1-0. Rodrigo left the Frenchman without a hope on Leeds’ third, too.
Ben Davies 6/10
Davies is probably Tottenham’s best defender at the moment. He scored the equalizer and was pretty solid defensively. At least he wasn’t culpable for any glaring errors.
Eric Dier 4/10
Eric Dier has been in poor form ever since regaining his spot for the Three Lions. Not much changed today. He needed to be much tighter, more physical and less of a pushover on Summerville’s opener. The diminutive Leeds forward took three touches before his finishing strike, finding life far too easy.
He coughed the ball up several times and was nutmegged (before recovering to concede a corner that led to Leeds’ second goal). He wasn’t directly culpable for Rodrigo’s goal on the cusp of halftime, but didn’t do himself any favours either.
Clement Lenglet 5/10
Clement Lenglet didn’t make any glaring errors, but wasn’t nearly commanding enough. Rodrigo, who scored to give Leeds the 2-1 advantage, was arguably his man.
Midfield
Pierre Hojbjerg 5/10
Pierre Hojbjerg was turned and left for dead far too easily on Leeds’ opening goal. He played decently otherwise, but wasn’t at the level Tottenham require from their midfield pivot.
Rodrigo Bentancur 8/10
What a mixed bag of a match from Rodrigo Bentancur.
The Uruguayan uncharacteristically coughed up possession several times. He made a few key interceptions but wasn’t at his best for large portions.
Bentancur also gave the ball away on Leeds’ winner, though many believe he was fouled in the process. Although a fortuitous bounce, Bentancur made up for his mistake with his 81st-minute leveller.
He then scored Tottenham’s winner from a brilliantly made goal, thanks mostly to Kulusevski and Kane’s build-up play. He was outstanding after Leeds’ third.
Ivan Perisic 6/10
Ivan Perisic has endured a rough patch, some of which due to misfortune. He’s not doing anything glaringly wrong, but isn’t as impactful as he should be. His crosses are always dangerous, but he isn’t penetrating like he can.
Emerson Royal 3/10
The most erratic, frustrating figure in a Tottenham shirt was yet again up to his infuriating antics. Provided a sitter by Davies, Royal skied over from close range. The adage, “it was a defender’s finish” doesn’t justify his woeful end product. The Brazilian doesn’t have enough quality to be playing a position of such influence.
He made a few good passes, one of which to Richarlison. However, his good moments are far too fleeting and rare.
Forwards and Subs
Harry Kane 7.5/10
Harry Kane scored his obligatory goal. The England captain pushed off his marker on a corner to thrash home Spurs’ opener. Kane’s close-range shot early in the second half rebounded perfectly to Davies, who struck it well from outside of the box to equalize. Even when he’s not at his best, Kane is always one touch from changing the entire complexion.
Dejan Kulusevski 9/10
Tottenham’s danger man was the focal point of most threatening forward forays. He created several scoring chances and made the most impact of Spurs’ front three.
He had one excellent scoring chance from a throw in that was thwarted by Illan Meslier. Kulu also set up Spurs’ second, passing smartly to Kane before Davies eventually scored. He was then influential on Bentancur’s winner, setting the Uruguayan with a gaping goal from close range.
Richarlison 5/10
Richarlison puts in a shift every time he’s on the pitch. However, he is more raw than he should be at this stage of his career. He harries defences and always exhibits a full-blooded effort, but, particularly against Leeds, was let down by his final touch.
Subs
Davinson Sanchez 7/10
The Colombian didn’t impact the match too much but made a smart and accurate pass to Kane, whose pass to Kulu eventually led to Tottenham’s winner.
Matt Doherty 7/10
Any time you’re on the field to see a change in momentum is a good thing. Doherty didn’t do too much personally but his presence changed the complexion. He deserves plaudits for that.
Yves Bissouma 6.5/10
He provided Spurs with more stability, like he so often does when replacing Richarlison. He also had a wild shot attempt from long range. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, though.