May 01, (THEWILL) – Tottenham Hotspur ran away as 3-1 winners at home against Leicester in the English Premier League on Sunday, ending a two-game losing streak.
Antonio Conte’s side withstood an early storm before putting on a show to move one point clear of Arsenal ahead of their London rivals’ trip to West Ham later in the day.
Leicester threatened as early as the 14th minute when Patson Daka struck the post after some fantastic work down the right flank from Boubakary Soumare. Soumare had bodied Ben Davies and rolled the ball back into the path of the Zambian, who was unlucky not to find the net instead.
Moments later, Nigeria international, Kelechi Iheanacho, robbed Davies of possession, and Davies was fortunate that Cristian Romero cut off Marc Albrighton’s cross to Daka, who was waiting for a simple tap-in to open the scoring.
Spurs were able to calm their jitters and regain control of the game after Davies went close following a free-kick at the opposite end, but Caglar Soyuncu diverted his close-range effort over.
Spurs scored from the subsequent corner when Harry Kane headed Son Heung-min’s corner in at Kasper Schmeichel’s near post, marking Spurs’ first effort on target since their 4-0 win over Aston Villa three weeks ago.
When Kane intercepted Nampalys Mendy’s wayward back pass, Leicester were given a reprieve when Schmeichel raced off his line to save the striker’s shot with his feet.
Iheanacho got a quick snap-shot off thanks to Ryan Sessegnon’s poor defence, but the Nigerian dragged it just wide of Hugo Lloris’ goal.
Perez cut out a loose header from Lucas Moura, and his effort almost rebounded into Daka’s path, but the former RB Salzburg man was an inch short from making firm contact.
After being pushed through by Cristian Romero, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg let go of a fantastic chance to shoot, but the Dane did not realise how much time and space he had and instead put through a terrible pass out wide to Lucas.
Dejan Kulusevski, a Spurs’ substitute, dribbled his way through the Leicester backline, but fell at the vital moment, and the ball rolled behind for a goal kick.
Leicester were furious when Kulusevski set up Spurs’ second goal just a few minutes later. The hosts regained control after a powerful push from Romero on Soyuncu, with Kulusevski sliding past Daniel Amartey to set up Son for his 18th Premier League goal of the season, a new personal record for forward.
Son was, however, not through yet, adding another pearler to his collection late in the game with a wonderful whipped effort into the top corner.
In the final minute of normal time, Jamie Vardy headed just wide before Iheanacho grabbed a consolation goal with a well-struck shot from 20 yards.
Spurs face a difficult journey to Anfield before the potentially decisive North London derby on May 12 after celebrating Conte’s 100th Premier League game with victory.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the Eternal City on Thursday, as Leicester take on Roma in the reverse fixture of their Europa Conference League semi-finals after the first leg at the King Power Stadium finished 1-1.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
