Away from the mutinous chants pouring down from the south stand, the gathering peril around Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy’s thousand-yard stare at full-time, it was worth keeping Leicester’s jubilation in mind. Ruud van Nistelrooy’s strugglers have endured a bleak winter and, when they found themselves trailing Tottenham at half-time, they resembled a team waiting for the sweet release of relegation.

At that stage Leicester were on their way to their eighth consecutive defeat in the Premier League, equalling a club record set in the 2000-01 season. Yet if history was a guide then playing Spurs was a positive. After all Leicester stopped the rot 24 years ago with a 4-2 win over the north Londoners.

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Some clubs have a mystique that lets them triumph from impossible positions. Spurs are the opposite. They heal opponents. They were in control of this game after a thumping header from Richarlison and still they folded, 1-0 becoming 1-2 during the first five minutes of the second half. The evergreen Jamie Vardy and the silky Bilal El Khannouss scored the goals that lifted Leicester out of the bottom three, easing the pressure on Van Nistelrooy.

It could be a defining result for both sides. While Leicester revelled in their show of defiance, with Boubakary Soumaré superb in midfield, an injury-hit Spurs floundered again. Postecoglou, who saw tired limbs and frazzled minds on the pitch, is in trouble. Spurs are eight points above the relegation zone after one win in 11 games and it would not be a surprise if this proves a defeat too far for the Australian.

However this is a decline that goes right to the top, which is why the venom directed at Levy felt significant. “Nothing will change until he leaves,” was one Spurs fan’s verdict on a chairman whose tenure has brought only one trophy in 24 years.

Perhaps, but Postecoglou can end the wait for silverware. Spurs are poised to reach the last 16 of the Europa League, are still in the FA Cup and are 1-0 up on aggregate before the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool. Postecoglou talked hopefully of injured players coming back. Maybe signings will help. Supporters, though, have little faith in Levy investing properly in an ailing squad.

Postecoglou could not rotate after a draining win over Hoffenheim on Thursday. Pape Matar Sarr was underpowered after returning in midfield, but the positive bulletins were diluted by James Maddison and Djed Spence becoming the latest absentees.

It felt ominous when Sarr squandered possession in dangerous areas four times in the first 10 minutes. The anxiety was palpable, growing when Rodrigo Bentancur joined his fellow midfielder in giving the ball away early on. It was jittery from Spurs and Leicester saw opportunities to push. Jordan Ayew was tame with a shot from 18 yards. Pedro Porro and Son Heung-min drew fine saves from Jakub Stolarczyk at the other end.

Son, who later hit the bar with a misdirected cross, fancied his chances against James Justin on the left. But with Dejan Kulusevski tired on the right, the main entertainment was coming from the regular anti-Levy chants.

The dissent was louder than ever. Levy, not Postecoglou, is blamed for years of underachievement. The end of the transfer window approaches and still Spurs are yet to strengthen a squad wholly unsuited to the demands of European football. Postecoglou needs help, even if misgivings over his tactical approach are fair.

Spurs rarely keep clean sheets and they toiled even after going ahead. Porro crossed for Richarlison and the striker, starting in the absence of Dominic Solanke, headed in after losing Wout Faes.

Leicester responded, Justin shooting narrowly wide, and Spurs unravelled after half-time. Bentancur clattered into Victor Kristiansen but advantage was played and Sarr failed to react. Bobby De Cordova-Reid ran off the midfielder, latched on to Soumaré’s perceptive pass and crossed for Vardy to collect his 10th goal in 18 games against Spurs.

It had taken 58 seconds for Leicester to equalise following the restart. Van Nistelrooy looked like a motivational genius. Spurs were stunned. They were still frozen when Bentancur blundered again and Soumaré sparked another counterattack. Reid fed El Khannouss, Spurs backed off and the winger guided a low shot past Antonin Kinsky from 20 yards.

The anger with Levy grew. Postecoglou was booed when Mikey Moore replaced Richarlison, who was carrying a groin injury. The tweak made sense. Son moved into the centre, the introduction of Sergio Reguilón for Sarr meant Archie Gray went into midfield and Spurs livened up. Porro sent a deflected free-kick against the bar. Stolarczyk saved from Kulusevski.

Leicester lived dangerously, escaping when Porro shot wide from a tight angle. Postecoglou, again unable to fill his bench, looked at his right-back in disbelief. The crowd howled. Leicester held firm. Spurs are falling apart. Supporters will be watching to see how Levy reacts.