5 talking points from Tottenham's 2-1 defeat at Leicester

Tottenham suffered another setback in the Premier League after a 2-1 defeat at Leicester.

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez gave the hosts a two-goal half-time lead and, although the returning Erik Lamela set up Harry Kane as Spurs halved the deficit, the Lilywhites were unable to find a leveller.

Here are five talking points from the King Power Stadium.

AS IT HAPPENED: Leicester v Tottenham

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1. Tottenham continue to look shaky defensively and are punished

Having fallen behind in the fourth minute against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, Spurs would have been fully aware of the importance of a better start this time – but, again, they conceded an early opener.

Jamie Vardy looked a threat from the start when running in behind the Lilywhites’ back line, and Hugo Lloris had to come out of his box in the first minute to head the ball away from the Foxes’ frontman.

Spurs failed to heed the warning and, 12 minutes later, Vardy was in behind again as Marc Albrighton chipped the ball over the top from the left side. Lloris came forward for a second time but could only watch helplessly as Vardy sent an excellent lobbed volley over him and into the net.

Tottenham were undone again too easily when the hosts doubled their lead just before half time, with Jan Vertonghen allowing Riyad Mahrez to run at him, cut onto his deadly left foot and whip a trademark curling shot into the top left corner.

Tottenham have now conceded six goals in four games. It does not look like a coincidence that Toby Alderweireld has been missing in that period.

2. Spurs squander too many of their own opportunities

Tottenham were sloppy for large periods of the first half, with simple passes going astray.

But, unlike West Brom on Saturday, Leicester declined to shut up shop and retreat inside their penalty box. Instead, they continued to engage Spurs in an entertainingly open and at times end-to-end match.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side often failed to take advantage of that space but they nevertheless created two big chances before the break.

Harry Kane played Moussa Sissoko through on goal, but he was denied by Kasper Schmeichel. Then, when Dele Alli was given a clear sight of goal, he also saw his shot saved by the goalkeeper before directing the rebound just wide.

Kane also found Danny Rose with a fine crossfield ball, and the left-back chested the ball down before volleying over the bar.

It was a similar story in the second half. Christian Eriksen volleyed wide from six yards and, after Kane had halved the deficit, Fernando Llorente missed a sitter, somehow prodding wide four yards out from Serge Aurier’s cross.

For all their faults, Spurs should have scored enough goals to at least draw the match. Their lack of composure in Leicester’s box was at costly as their other errors.

1. Pochettino is forced into another formation change

Spurs have lined up in a 5-3-2 system for the last two games, with Eric Dier playing as one of three centre-backs.

But, after watching his side fall behind in both of them, Pochettino has felt compelled to change to a 4-2-3-1 set-up, moving Dier forward into midfield.

Spurs have no problem making such alterations mid-match – they are a flexible outfit these days.

But, at the moment, the changes smack of indecision on Pochettino’s part, and perhaps a suggestion that he has picked the wrong system in the first place.

Has the back three become less effective in Alderweireld’s absence? Is it time for a rethink? It will be interesting to see how the manager sets his team up at Watford on Saturday.

4. Spurs lack quality in midfield until Erik Lamela’s immediate impact

Pochettino made four changes to his side, bringing in Rose, Aurier, Mousa Dembele and Moussa Sissoko. But while Spurs’ full-backs created problems – Aurier grew in influence after lacking ambition in the first half – the incoming midfielders were poor.

They were not the only ones to let the side down though. Dier gave the ball away repeatedly and Eriksen looked jaded again, showing signs of physical and mental tiredness.

Sissoko, Dembele and Eriksen were all taken off in the second half, and Spurs improved as a result. Indeed Lamela’s long-awaited return, after a 13-month injury lay-off, quickly resulted in Spurs’ goal.

The Argentinian had only been on the pitch for a few moments when he played Kane in on goal with a cute through ball, and his team-mate made no mistake, hammering the ball into the roof of the net to score his ninth goal in six league games against Leicester.

Sissoko did little to advance his cause and was taken off 11 minutes after the break, while Dembele is falling further behind Harry Winks in that particular battle. Pochettino must also decide whether to persevere with Eriksen against Watford.

The Dane looks like he badly needs a rest, but he is a key creative player and will surely get a breather next Wednesday when Spurs play their meaningless final Champions League group match against Apoel Nicosia. Can he raise this game again this weekend or would the Lilywhites be better off without him at this stage?

Having urged caution with expectations around Lamela, Pochettino will at least be pleased with his fellow Argentinian’s contribution in the Midlands. That was the only silver lining.

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5. Tottenham remain outside the top four and could now fall further

Playing before both Arsenal and Chelsea, the Lilywhites had the chance to leapfrog their London rivals and move up to third place – even if only temporarily.

Instead, they remain in fifth place after taking just four points from their last five Premier League matches.

They must now wait and see if the Gunners and Blues capitalise and move away from them – and Spurs would drop into seventh position if Liverpool and Burnley both triumph on Wednesday night.

Pochettino has work to do in the coming days.

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