Veteran striker Jamie Vardy earned newly-promoted Leicester City a 1-1 draw with a profligate Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League season opener on Monday. Spurs dominated the first half but Pedro Porro's opener in the 29th minute was the only time they could make one of a host of good chances count. Further clear-cut opportunities came and went after the break, with the visitors' wastefulness proving costly when Leicester skipper Vardy headed an equaliser into the net with 57 minutes gone. Brazilian Richarlison missed a golden opening to win it at the death and Spurs had to settle for one point in a match they really should have taken all three from.
A Dominant First Half
Tottenham were utterly dominant against Leicester City, winning 1-0 thanks to Pedro Porro’s goal and looking set for a comfortable night. But they lost their grip after half-time, were pegged back by Jamie Vardy and ultimately had to settle for a point.
The most frustrating thing for Spurs taking one point from this game is how utterly dominant they were right up until Vardy’s equaliser. Tottenham were all over Leicester from the start, instantly imposing themselves on the game, creating so many chances from set pieces and open play. They controlled the first half and then had an excellent spell after the re-start.
When Vardy scored, Rodrigo Bentancur had just missed another excellent chance to make it 2-0. Of course, it is better to create chances than not, but in a game in which Spurs had 13 corners, fans will ask questions about the ruthlessness of a team that did so much of the hard work but still only came away with one point.
The Defining Moment: Vardy's Goal
The hosts trailed to Pedro Porro’s header but the Spurs debutant Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson passed up chances to double the advantage. In the end, Leicester could have snatched victory, with Vicario superbly repelling Vardy and then Wilfred Ndidi, whose header he pushed round a post. Vicario went berserk at the substitute Lucas Bergvall, who cheaply surrendered possession, allowing Leicester to fashion an opening at the beginning of nine minutes of second-half stoppage time. The Spurs No 9 Richarlison had the final chance of the match, the substitute heading over unmarked after eluding Victor Kristiansen.
Spurs' Wastefulness
Spurs were searching for the winner when James Maddison whipped an outswinging corner into the box and Bentancur clashed heads with Abdul Fatawu. The midfielder immediately dropped to the floor and his team-mates signalled for the medics to come onto the pitch. It was a concerning incident and no replays were shown on the TV monitors inside the stadium. Maddison looked concerned while Fatawu seemed distressed over his role in the incident.
A Night of Missed Opportunities
It was the moment Dominic Solanke would have been dreaming about ever since he completed his £65million ($84m) move from Bournemouth to Spurs a couple of weeks ago. James Maddison whipped the ball into the box and Solanke ghosted past his marker. All he had to do was nudge the ball on either side of Mads Hermansen to get off to the perfect start. However, the 26-year-old’s effort fell straight into Hermansen’s hands and, although the linesman’s flag went up for offside, replays suggested it would have counted with a VAR review.
Spurs were so dominant in the first half that Solanke’s miss did not feel like a significant moment at the time. They had 22 touches in Leicester’s box and five shots on target.
Maddison's Strong Performance
This was always going to be a big game for James Maddison: back at Leicester City for the first time since he left to join Tottenham last summer, and playing his first competitive game since the heartbreak of getting cut from the England squad for last summer’s Euros.
But then this is a huge season for Maddison, as he hopes to get back to the levels he showed in the first section of last term. But the good news for Spurs fans is that this looked like the same Maddison that they saw in those thrilling first few months of the 2023-24 campaign. He ran the game for Tottenham, particularly in the first half — always available, showing for the ball, finding space in that left pocket, and creating chances from set pieces and open play.
A Disappointing Outcome
The Tottenham manager could not his irritation at seeing his side losing two points. “It was a disappointing outcome for us,” he told the BBC. “I thought we were excellent first half and controlled the game but just wasteful in front of goal and the same in the second half.
“We created chances and weren’t ruthless enough at other times. It’s stuff we need to fix. When you are so dominant you need to make sure it is reflected by the scoreline.”
A Look Ahead
Saturday, August 24: Everton (H), Premier League, 3pm BST, 10am ET
What Steve Cooper Got Right
What did Leicester City manager Steve Cooper get right in his pre-match preparation for the important first Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium? And what did the Foxes boss also do correctly in-game on the night in question? LCFC battled to a 1-1 draw thanks to a Jamie Vardy goal after coming from behind following Pedro Porro's opener.
Leicester's Resilience
As Leicester prepared to welcome Tottenham to Filbert Way, the entire world seemed to write the Foxes off. I must admit, us LCFC fans at Foxes of Leicester were not predicting a win for our beloved team either. Far from it!
This writer in particular was, admittedly, very wary and pessimistic about the east Midlands side's chances versus Spurs. Ange Postecoglou did have the north London outfit playing such flying, forward-thinking football that it was hard to envision a clean sheet for Cooper's men. In fact, FoL expected three or four goals to possibly be put past Mads Hermansen in the net.
Vardy's Impact
There are, of course, holes in Postecoglou's game plan, specifically their susceptibility to counter attacks. Not to mention THFC's generally overly speculative approach which leaves much space and ample time for opponents to capitalise.
Yet, prior to the fixture in preseason, the Foxes seemed to lack their formerly fervent ability to pounce when opportunities arise. The King Power club are apparently devoid of many fit strikers at present. With only Tom Cannon and wingers playing out of position, such as Stephy Mavididi, supposedly available for the role.
Buonanotte's Debut
Or so we thought, after Cooper seemed to rule Jamie Vardy out of the Spurs clash. However, Vardy's name was included in the starting lineup. And City's first half performance was arguably better than many predicted as well. Although the capital club dominated possession and chances, they only scored once.
Though Leicester failed to threaten much in the initial 45. Facundo Buonanotte was the most entertaining and penetrative Fox during that period. Nevertheless, the Leicestershire team trailed by a goal to nil at the break.
A Strategic Approach
Starting Vardy was proven a fine decision, despite his recent recovery. The talisman doesn't just bring attacking threat, he also stimulates and energises the home crowd.
Giving Facundo Buonanotte his debut in a kind of No.10 role was instrumental for City. The Argentine has a wonderful future ahead; let's hope it's on Filbert Way.
One other element of Cooper's demeanour and style I admire is his ability to subtly conduct. The former Nottingham Forest chief noticeably tried to buoy the LCFC support too. The 44-year-old isn't afraid to make a big call on the sideline and is always thinking. Being more cautious first half and attempting to swing the match in the second and most important half is a solid strategy.
Spurs' Player Ratings
Here are our Tottenham Hotspur player ratings following their 1-1 draw at Leicester City on Monday to open their Premier League campaign
Tottenham's Squad
Ahead of the game, the two clubs agreed the transfer of Oliver Skipp in a deal worth more than £20million and including a sell-on clause. The 23-year-old, who played more than 100 times for Tottenham after coming through the academy, was signed too late to play in the game but was in attendance.
Spurs' latest signing, 19-year-old winger Wilson Odobert, was not available yet after his £30million move from Burnley, as the club await his work permit. However, Ange Postecoglou named £65million new striker Dominic Solanke in his first team of the season with fellow summer arrivals Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall on a strong bench.
A Night of Mixed Emotions
Tottenham took the lead on the half hour mark with former Leicester man James Maddison curling in a lovely ball and Pedro Porro, in a striker's position, headed it past the keeper.
Spurs had chances galore in both halves but did not take them and Jamie Vardy found a leveller for the hosts from their one real chance before the hour mark. He was left all alone at the back post to head in Abdul Fatawu's cross.
Neither side could find a winner and Rodrigo Bentancur was stretchered off in the second half with what appeared to be a nasty injury and seemingly concussion after a collision from a Spurs corner.
