S Poddar
Tottenham Hotspur began their Premier League campaign with a draw against the newly-promoted Leicester City at King Power Stadium. Although the performance was supremely dominant, Ange Postecoglou’s men could not convert the created chances and, hence, dropped two very crucial points on Monday night.
Tottenham looked really good right from the word ‘go,’ dominating a confident game. It was all Pedro Porro, who met a pin-point cross from James Maddison with a well-directed header. This goal seemed to set the tone for a promising night for Spurs, who created a lot of chances to extend their lead before the halftime whistle. But, as was often the case last season, that was a familiar problem – Tottenham failing to convert offered chances and left the door ajar at the back for Leicester to make the comeback.
Leicester did benefit from such profligacy, and with a fortunate headed equalizer by 37-year-old Jamie Vardy, now shaking off full fitness to make his start by the headed equalizer that came totally against the run of play, the goal from Vardy stunned the visitors and brought the home crowd to life—shifting the momentum in favor of the Foxes.
As the game wore on, both teams created chances that could have sealed all three points. Vardy, Ndidi, and Richarlison went close, and neither could find that elusive second goal. It got tenser with time, with fans of both teams on edge as the clock ticked down.
There was a concerning moment toward the end of the match, when Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was in a really frightening clash of heads during a corner. The Uruguayan international was attended to pitch-side straight away with medical personnel seen giving him oxygen and treating him for a number of minutes before he was stretchered off. Fortunately, he was subsequently reported to be conscious and speaking in the dressing room at the end of the game, much to the relief of both sides and their fans.
In the end, it was 1-1, a result that felt like two points discarded off of what was a strong opening for Tottenham. Postecoglou will most probably be annoyed with not finishing off opponents when they had the opportunity to. The need for more clinical finishing will thus be of paramount importance to Spurs if they are to better last season’s inconsistency.
On the other hand, it will be fascinating for Leicester to look back on how it got its act together to claim a point against one of the Premier League’s best. Manager Enzo Maresca could take heart from his team’s determination, though it was second best for large parts.
This is the sort of game that underlines the unpredictability of the Premier League, where no result can be taken for granted and the best teams are punished because of an inability to take their chances. For Spurs, the draw spells a reminder of the growth in ruthlessness that needs to be enacted further up front if they are to challenge for top honors this season.
As much as both teams will reflect on the match, Tottenham will kick themselves on missed chances, while Leicester will take it as impetus in their improbable march back into the game. The Premier League is a long season with plenty of twists and turns along the way. However, this opening encounter has already shown a glimpse of the drama that is sure to come.
Spurs now prepare for a game in which they will have to right their wrongs from Leicester, which did cost them at the King Power Stadium. Leicester, meanwhile, will look to build on this hard-earned point if they continue their way back within the top flight in order to try and put a stamp down on their place within the league for another year.
