Match Report: Leicester Maintain Surprise Title Quest With Win at White Hart Lane
Star Wars fans will testify that the Empire Strikes Back is the best of the original trilogy. A New Hope and Return of the Jedi had their moments, but it's second of the three-parter that more often than not is dubbed the superior of the first three films. The hope, therefore, was that the second installment of Tottenham and Leicester would live up to the billing. The Premier League pair face one another three times in the space of 10 days - twice in the FA Cup after Sunday's enthralling encounter at White Hart Lane, forcing a replay at the King Power Stadium next week and on Wednesday night in league duties.
Both teams made wholesale changes for this fixture following Sunday's excursions and it showed in the opening 45 minutes as the two sides chased down any loose ball as though their lives depended on it. However, while Sunday's showing between these two promised plenty of action with both sides at full strength, Wednesday's outing perhaps failed to live up to expectations, as though the FA Cup clash was the trailer that showed the best scenes before the film's release.
That isn't to say this fixture was devoid of entertainment, with both goalkeepers kept busy. Hugo Lloris and Kasper Schmeichel have both established themselves as key shotstoppers for Spurs and Leicester during their respective stints at the club. Either side of half time, the two 'keepers were called on to keep their side in the game as Lloris excellently denied Danny Drinkwater and Jamie Vardy, while Schmeichel at the other end was on hand to turn keep out Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane and Dele Alli. However, while Schmeichel was able to come away with his head held high, Lloris was unfortunate not to secure his clean sheet having conceded a Robert Huth header in the dying embers of the encounter.
Leicester's 1-0 win was exactly the response manager Claudio Ranieri will have wanted after a run of three league games without a win. With Arsenal also securing a positive on Wednesday night, the Foxes needed a victory to maintain their surprising title pursuit, particularly with Manchester City dropping points at home to Everton. While Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have shone brightest for the club this season, however, it was Leicester's unsung heroes that hauled the Foxes over the finish line first at White Hart Lane.
The likes of N'Golo Kante, Christian Fuchs, Drinkwater and Robert Huth have seen their impact overshadowed by Vardy and Mahrez, but while the latter pair failed to impress in midweek, those around them put in the spirited showing required to pick up all three points. Between them, Kante and Drinkwater made an astonishing 11 tackles in the middle of the park as Alli, Eriksen and Erik Lamela failed to stamp their authority in the encounter. While luck may have played it's part in Leicester's win, the ever-blossoming partnership between Kante and Drinkwater continues to grow stronger with each passing week.
Kante in particular once again showcased why he is an early contender for signing of the season, with his six tackles more than any other player on the pitch. The Frenchman effectively covered every blade of grass on the White Hart Lane pitch and did not allow the Spurs midfield to settle in possession as and where possible. With Euro 2016 looming, the former Caen star is perhaps in with an outside chance of making the France squad. Drinkwater also warrants the plaudits for his effecient showing in the middle of the park. When the Foxes secured the services of Kante and Gokhan Inler in the summer, the 25-year-old could have seen his Leicester career stall, but he instead worked harder to retain his starting spot and both he and the club are reaping the benefits.
No player made more interceptions than Drinkwater (3) in the encounter, while it took some last ditch Jan Vertonghen defending and a fine Lloris stop to deny him a spot on the scoresheet. The WhoScored man of the match award, though, was handed to Christian Fuchs, who gained a rating of 8.34. The Austrian provided the assist for Huth's winner - the powerhouse centre-back gaining a commendable rating of 8.17, with his nine clearances and the goal contributing to that - but the German's defensive showing was perhaps bettered by Fuchs. While the visitors attacked more down the right (46%) than the left (30%), the 29-year-old left-back was on hand to limit the influence of Lamela and - when he did press forward - Kyle Walker.
Two tackles, one interception and nine clearances capped off what was another solid showing from Fuchs, who continues to impress in his debut campaign in England. All in all, though, the Leicester squad as a collective warrant ample praise. The team was hugely impressive at White Hart Lane and while Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino felt a loss was unfair on his team, it was Leicester who took the best chance presented to them in north London. The Foxes have now won more points (24) away from home than any other team this season and, with 17 games still to play, have accumulated more points (43) than they managed in the whole of last term (41).
The doggedness of this squad is clear for all to see and with Ranieri at the helm, they have the managerial experience required to secure, at least, a top-four spot, if not more.
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