Two goals in the last 10 minutes from Spurs’ Uruguayan, Rodrigo Bentancur, turned what was going to be a disappointing day for Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a fantastic win against an inform Leeds team.
Embed from Getty ImagesLeeds took the lead after just 10 minutes when Crysencio Summerville scored his fourth goal in four games. Harry Kane equalised after 25 minutes in a controversial manner when Clement Lenglet seemed to push Illan Meslier when he came out to punch the ball from the corner. Kane flicked the ball over the defender brilliantly and made it 1-1. Rodrigo made it 2-1 to the visitors just before half time with a quick volley from outside the box.
It took Spurs until the 51st minute to make it 2-2 when the ball fell to Ben Davies on the edge of the box and he hit a low shot first time which found its way into the back of the net. Leeds took the lead for the third time in the 76th minute as Rodrigo picked up his ninth of the season with a great strike across the goal into the bottom corner. The game was not over with Rodrigo Bentancur scoring in the 81st and 83rd minute to give Spurs a 4-3 lead, the second goal set up by Dejan Kulusevski, who took a fantastic touch before he slid the ball to Bentancur on the edge of the six yard box. Tyler Adams received a second yellow card and was sent off when tripping Yves Bissouma up whilst Spurs were on the break.
Here are my Tottenham player ratings for tonight’s game.
Hugo Lloris – 5 – Conceded more goals that saves made today. Possibly could have done better for Leeds second and also his distribution wasn’t perfect.
Eric Dier – 5 – Allowed Summerville to easily get a shot off at goal for the opener.
Clement Lenglet – 6 – Didn’t have too much to do in the middle of the back three, was taken off after 57 minutes.
Ben Davies – 7 – Was a threat from left centre back, creating a chance after a great move for Emerson Royal. Scored the equaliser (it may get taken away from him) and was strong defensively, not letting anything happen down his side for Leeds.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmerson Royal – 3 – Another poor game where the fans in the ground cheered when he was taken off. A skied shot after an excellent team move really summed up his game.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 9 – Tottenham’s saviour once again. Their player of the season so far scored the equaliser and winner with controlled shots and being in the right place. Overall game was fantastic for Bentancur and defensively was excellent, including a late challenge from behind which was executed perfectly, even though he was on a yellow.
Embed from Getty ImagesPierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6 – Along with Dier, could have done better for Summerville’s opener. Apart from that a quiet game for the Dane.
Ivan Perisic – 6 – Similarly to Hojbjerg, quite quiet throughout. It was from his corner that the first goal came about.
Dejan Kulusevski – 8 – Fantastic down the right hand side. Beat his man with ease on multiple occasions. Created the goal for the winner with a soft touch to get round his man and the perfect layoff to Bentancur.
Richarlison – 6 – Looked lively and was getting involved in play but couldn’t get any clear chances. Had one half chance which Meslier saved.
Harry Kane – 8 – A great all-round performance from Kane. Scoring early on and was involved in most attacks for Spurs. Played Kulusevski through for the winner.
Embed from Getty ImagesSubs:
Davinson Sanchez (on 57th minute) – 7 – Looked shaky first five minutes defensively but after Tottenham went behind was fantastic going forward. Made a couple of great tackles and played a great pass into Kane in the build up for the winner.
Matt Doherty (on 57th minute) – 7 – Everything Emerson wasn’t today Doherty was. Good going forward with Bentancur’s equaliser coming from a Doherty cross in the build up.
Yves Bissouma (on 69th minute) – 8 – Done what he had to do when he came on brilliantly. Sitting in the middle of the midfield, he gave Bentancur and Hojbjerg the freedom to go forward more. On multiple occasions beat a man then played the pass and also got Tyler Adams sent off late on by getting past him.
Lucas Moura (on 90th minute) – N/A – Wasn’t on the pitch for long enough to receive a rating.
Manager:
Antonio Conte – 8 – Even with Spurs going into half time behind the football was much better. It was individual errors and poor moments which was costing the team. The tactical change bringing on Bissouma for Richarlison and swapping three attackers to having three midfielders instead was a move that won Spurs the game. Hopefully after the World Cup, with a fully fit team, Tottenham can push on.
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