PLAYER RATINGS: Leicester 0:2 Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur decided to play so conservatively for the majority of the first half that it almost seemed like they would be content for the game to go 120 minutes and to penalties. They had the majority of the ball but nothing to show for it, including chances at even taking a shot.

But after Son-Heung-Min got his right foot on a ball right at the top of the 18 yard box and hit a screamer into the Leicester goal, the game changed as both teams had more chances in the last five minutes of the half than they did in the first forty.

After the interval, Spurs dominance began to pay off. Not only were Tottenham dictating play, they were troubling Kasper Schmeichel’s goal frequently. The just rewards came after a nice pass from Son found Nacer Chadli’s feet and it was two for the good guys.

So complete was Spurs performance that you could start hearing the “Ole” chant coming from the away supporters in the 78th minute.

Ratings

Michel Vorm- 7- Had nothing to do in the first half. Great diving save against Gray in the 53rd minute. Made a nice save on Marc Albrighton in the 90th.

Kyle Walker- 7- Was allowed to run freely down the right hand side in the first half and never really took advantage of it. Had some great service but no one ever got on the end of one. Like all the defenders to come, was solid in defence, mainly because he wasn’t troubled at all.

Eric Dier- 7- Looked a little out of sorts in the center of the defence early in the contest but grew into it as the game went on. Solid in total.

Kevin Wimmer- 7- Didn’t even notice he was out there, and that’s probably a good thing for a center back. Solid all game.

Ben Davies- 7- Had all the space in the world down the left flank, especially early, but never made anything of it. I have no synonyms for solid, so I’ll say that Davies was indeed solid in defence.

Nabil Bentaleb- 6- Nothing notable out of Nabil in his return to the lineup. He did nothing wrong, but will likely go immediately back to the bench for the league match against Palace.

Tom Carroll- 7- Neat little pass to set up the Son goal. Young Tom works hard, that’s for sure.

Erik Lamela- 5- Quiet early. Couldn’t sort out a pass to either Eriksen or Son in the 56th that might have sealed the game. Gets an extra 30 minutes rest before the weekend.

Christian Eriksen- 7- Like Lamela, the Dane was quiet early, but sprung to life a little in the second. Controlled the middle but his final pass was missing.

Nacer Chadli- 7- When there is a ball lofted in the air, Nacer always appears in the right spot but most of the time without conviction in his maneuver. When the ball is on the ground, it’s a different story. Took his goal in stride and with conviction.

Heung-Min Son- 8- What a strike from the South Korean in the first half. A magnificent slotted pass to Chadli for the second. A great all-around performance from the former Leverkusen man. The Man of the Match by this observer.

Subs

Harry Kane- 7- Came on in the 60th minute for Erik Lamela. Got kicked in the gut by a rugby/American football player for his efforts. He and Son worked well together.

Josh Onomah-6- Entered in the 73rd for Nacer Chadli. Lost his mark on an attempt by Gray late in the game. The future is bright.

Dele Alli -n/a- Entered in the 83rd minute for Son.

It looks like Mauricio Pochettino’s strategy of playing young and previously inexperienced players in key games in the Premier League, Europa League, and now the FA Cup is beginning to pay off. There is not a single member of the squad that he does not trust to get the job done and the players are truly playing for their manager.

In addition, the combination of Kane and Son looked dangerous at times. Spurs will probably look to add a striking partner in the next week or so, but if they fail, the combination of Kane and Son is a possibility.

In the end Tottenham progressed in the FA Cup and now get Colchester as a reward.

 

Son was superb. Maybe a touch harsh on Lamela but great win.
Wemberleeeeeeee!!!!

 

We started off a bit shaky giving the ball away and giving away free kicks, we had a lot of possession but didn't have any penetration and was limited to long range pot shots. It played out like the last 2 games against Leicester with us having most possession but without much in the final 3rd because they had plenty of bodies at the back. Then Son took over and smashed in a great goal and assisted another for Chadli which begs the question why he can't get into the first team when Lamela and Carroll can?
Thought Wimmer and Dier were really good and why is Josh not playing over Carroll? anyway onwards and upwards!
Coys!

 

Totally agree with Tommy.
There were really good signs from Onomah in his brief stint today and how much better did we look once kane cam on? I'm hoping Son replaces Lamela for the wseekend... more match time can only improve him.

 

This was Lamela (the doughnut) in his purest form. The 30million pound numpty running like a headless chicken, 2 intelligent runs either side and 'believe the hype' lamela untangles his feet and attempts to split a defence with a tame 10 yard pass straight to the keeper wasting a glorious opportunity.
How he ever expected Eriksen to get to it in such little space and the fact he was peeling away trying to get space/stretch the defence in the opposite direction is beyond me.
Coco the clown ive seen enough he wouldnt improve a single team in the division, other than running about this guy is a waste of a shirt.

 

Bit harsh mate. He's our second top scorer. More goals than alli and one less assist. Yes he needs to improve and he's frustrating, but not a waste of shirt surely?

 

In context Alli is in his break through season, cost 5 mil, and is not a 'forward'. Also in the league not the mickey mouse cups he has a better goal return in less games.
Lamela is our MVP, hes taken 3 seasons to run about a bit more and has scored a whopping 3 goals in 20 prem games.
The sooner he goes the better imo.

 

Have to agree.
His first three contributions to this game were:
1. A very high-footed challenge to give a free kick just outside our box.
2. Then he was passed a good ball at the edge of the box where he just had to control with his left and strike with his right, but of course he only has one foot and he couldn't even control the ball.
3. In a promising position outside the box with plenty of options he lofts the ball to nobody and the ball dribbles out for a goal kick.
Maybe we could organise a loan move when we travel to Colchester.