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.
Tottenham's Dominance in the First Half
Tottenham's dominance was evident right from the start. They controlled the game, dictated the tempo, and created numerous chances. Their passing was crisp, their movement was fluid, and their pressing was relentless. But they lacked the finishing touch.
Despite creating several opportunities, Tottenham went into the break leading by just one goal.
Vardy's Equaliser Turns the Tide
Leicester's equaliser came as a shock to everyone. It was a moment that summed up the game perfectly: Tottenham had been in control but were unable to convert their chances, while Leicester were patient and eventually got their reward.
Tottenham's Missed Opportunities
Spurs' evening went from bad to worse when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was carried off on a stretcher after an eight-minute stoppage in the second half, following a nasty collision. The Uruguay international was given oxygen as he was surrounded by medical staff, but was later reported to be recovering. A poor end to last season saw Spurs miss out on a top-four finish in Australian Postecoglou's first year in charge.
The north London club have invested in several new signings in the close season to challenge for the Champions League qualification places once again, with striker Dominic Solanke the biggest outlay. The former Bournemouth forward, playing Premier League football again after a year back in the second tier, should have opened his Spurs account in the first half at the King Power Stadium. Some wayward finishing from Solanke ensured Leicester were let off the hook early on, before Porro arrived on the end of a James Maddison cross to guide home the opening goal.
Vardy's Impact and Tottenham's Frustration
The second half appeared to be a matter of how many Spurs would score, with Solanke again guilty of wasting gilt-edged opportunities. Vardy, however, made no mistake when presented with his chance to snatch a point for Leicester and the 37-year-old collected the eighth Premier League opening-day goal of his career, a tally bettered only by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.
What Next for Tottenham?
This was a deeply frustrating opening night for Tottenham Hotspur. Ange Postecoglou’s side 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 Aftermath
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.
There were some promising moves from Spurs’ attacking set pieces but the second goal never came. And by the end, they were hanging on to a draw. Given that they could have been 5-0 up when Vardy scored, it will not feel like a point gained.
Analysis of Key Moments
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.
Paramedics rushed onto the pitch too and a few players stood over watching what was happening. Members of Tottenham’s medical staff kept running from the bench and back to relay what was happening to the coaching staff. It was a lengthy delay and Bentancur was eventually taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Archie Gray. The entire stadium applauded as the Uruguay international was taken off, with Sky Sports later reporting that the player was up and talking in the dressing room but still being assessed.
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. Even when Solanke had a right-footed shot saved by Hermansen in the second half, there seemed no reason for Spurs to panic. But then Vardy equalised and suddenly everything changed, and Solanke’s misses looked costly.
The forward was signed to be clinical in these moments and it will be a huge source of frustration for himself and his manager that he could not be decisive.
Solanke impressed in the other elements of his game though. He did not have a lot of touches but was constantly breaking into the box and looking to attack the ball. He dropped deep a couple of times to link up play and won the ball back, too. In the second half, he went on an excellent run after picking up the ball in the centre circle and pulled it back to Maddison on the edge of the box. The midfielder just needed to shift it into space and shoot but his first touch let him down.
There were more than enough signs to suggest he will be a huge success for Spurs but it was not the start he would have hoped for.
Analysis of Key Players
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.
Maddison created Spurs’ opener, with a perfect whipped cross from deep, finding Pedro Porro’s brave run into the box. With better finishing from his team-mates, he would have ended with more than one assist. And he never looked remotely troubled by the booing he got from some sections of the home crowd, although he got a great reception when taken off in the second half.
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.”
Leicester's Tactical Masterclass
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A Draw for Leicester and a Headache for Tottenham
Tottenham will be left to rue their missed chances. They created enough opportunities to win the game comfortably, but their profligacy in front of goal cost them dearly. Leicester, on the other hand, will be delighted with a point on the opening day, and Vardy will be hailed as a hero for his late equaliser.
This was a game that Tottenham should have won, but they failed to take advantage of their dominance. They will need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to achieve their ambitions this season. Leicester, meanwhile, will be hoping that their comeback win will give them the confidence to push on and challenge for a top-half finish.
