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Bergwijn at the buzzer

Ritwik Khanna
By Ritwik Khanna

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Tottenham Hotspur secured a dramatic 3-2 win away at Leicester City after an injury time double from Steven Bergwijn broke the hearts of the home fans.

 

 

The game got off to an open start with Patson Daka nearly getting his head on a cross from Leicester’s left hand side in the fifth minute. It was the away side that had the first huge chance as Kane danced his way through the Leicester box.

The Englishman got a shot away from the left side of the box and beat Kasper Schmeichel but Luke Thomas got back smartly to clear it off the line. A few minutes later Kane went close again, getting a clean head on a corner only to see it rattle off the crossbar.

 

 

Spurs began to dominate proceedings with Lucas Moura becoming the next player to test Schmeichel with a shot from the edge of the area. Conte’s men worked the corner short before Sergio Region whipped in a good ball towards the far post, which was met by Davinson Sanchez. The Colombian’s header though was weak and only found the side netting.

The home side responded and unlike their opponents, took the chance when it came their way. A quick break down their left led to Daka playing in Ademola Lookman who was tackled by Reguilon. The ball broke back to Daka who stayed calm and placed his shot beyond the onrushing Hugo Lloris.

The goal gave Leicester more confidence as James Maddison tried his luck from defence and drew a good save from Lloris. Spurs kept up the pressure as both sides attacked and counter-attacked.

 

 

History repeated itself as Kane saw another shot cleared off the line. Moura was played in by a delightful pass from the right but Schmeichel came out quickly to deny him. Kane picked up the pieces, danced around the Leicester keeper but his side-foot shot was cleared off the line, this time by Marc Albrighton.

Two minutes later he finally got his goal. Oliver Skipp intercepted the ball in midfield and Harry Winks played in a smart ball over the top. Kane raced away, sold a dummy to cut back on to his left foot and put the ball past Schmeichel.

 

 

Moura had another attempt saved by the Danish keeper while Kane missed another golden chance, shooting over after a great break away by Spurs. The sides entered the tunnel on level terms after a breathless first half.

Leicester began the second half more tentatively but Spurs continued to push with their wing-backs growing into the game. Reguilon’s shot from inside the box was blocked while substitute Matt Doherty curled an effort on his weaker left foot just wide of the post.

The Foxes looked to hit on the counter and nearly took the lead again just before the hour mark after some great plat by Dewsbury-Hall. The youngster broke through and Maddison was played through but his shot from an angle was saved well by Lloris.

Maddison would be the one to provide the next goal of the game after some neat inter play with Harvey Barnes. The substitute linked well with Maddison and dinked in a great pass for the latter to put home via a deflection.

 

 

Leicester went into defence mode after retaking the lead and Schmeichel made a great save from close range from Doherty. Spurs drifted along towards the final whistle until the fifth minute of injury time when substitute Steven Bergwijn turned the game on its head.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg crossed the ball into the box which was brought down by Doherty. The ball broke to Bergwijn whose shot wrong-footed Schmeichel to bring the two sides level and steal a point.

 

 

The Dutchman was not done there though as in the seventh minute of added on time, he stole all three points after a mistake by Youri Tielemans allowed Kane to play him in. Bergwijn maintained his composure to go around Schmeichel and get the winner.

An end-to-end match that had a fitting end, here are our takeaways from the tie –

 

CONTE’S GOT SPURS MOVING

Tottenham remain unbeaten in the league since Antonio Conte took over and the game against Leicester showed exactly why. The Italian has instilled some fighting spirit back into the side while making things work tactically.

Spurs were smart about their game plan even if they went behind twice. They were also unfortunate with their chances and the game should not have been this close. They look like a top side again and that spells good things for the league.

 

THE KANE KONUNDRUM

Despite his exceptional goal scoring record, Harry Kane remains a player who splits opinions. His all around play is amongst the best in the world but the Englishman does seem to have lost a bit of the edge over the past few months.

 

 

The equaliser was just his fifth goal of the season and he missed several chances to close the game early. However, he remains one of the few players in the world who gets into these high scoring positions on such a regular basis. If he can return to his finest finishing form, then Spurs should be a lock for the top four.

 

THE FOXES ARE RETURNING

The defeat left Leicester in 10th place – an underwhelming position after two seasons of top four fights. There were positives to take from the performance though, including the return of James Justin after 11 months out with an injury.

Brendan Rodgers’ side can write off this campaign but if they can hold on to most of their players then they should be back in the upper echelons of the Premier Legaue next season.

 

 

Ritwik Khanna
Ritwik Khanna
Economics student supporting FC Goa and Manchester United, in true masochistic way. Can be found reading Jonathan Wilson and Sid Lowe or planning a quirky trip in his free time.

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