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Tottenham vs Leicester as it happened: Spurs in crisis after damaging Premier League defeat

Tottenham vs Leicester as it happened: Spurs in crisis after damaging Premier League defeat

Leicester City snapped a seven-match losing streak in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur that continued the home side's abysmal form on Sunday.

Tottenham have now managed only one win in 11 league games after goals by Jamie Vardy and Bilal El Khannouss early in the second half piled more pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.

Leicester's second away win of the season took them out of the bottom three, above Wolverhampton Wanderers, into 17th place with 17 points from 23 games.

Tottenham, who deservedly led at halftime with a 33rd-minute header by Richarlison, remain 15th with 24 points after a fourth successive league loss, eight points off the drop zone.

Postecoglou might only still be in a job because of his record in this season's cups, with Spurs in the English League Cup semifinals — and leading Liverpool 1-0 after the first leg — and in the automatic qualification spots in the Europa League.

It was a fourth straight loss in the league for Tottenham, whose winless run in the competition extended to seven games.

Tottenham vs Leicester latest news

  • Tottenham in crisis as Leicester stage remarkable comeback

  • Tottenham player ratings vs Leicester: Shattered Spurs running on empty

  • Postecoglou explains Richarlison substitution after Tottenham boos

  • Tottenham fans turn on Daniel Levy as dismal Spurs reach new low

  • Ange Postecoglou unsure over Tottenham future after Leicester defeat

Good bye!

17:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

Thanks for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham’s loss to Leicester.

Find our report, ratings, reaction and analysis below!

Ange Postecoglou unsure over Tottenham future after Leicester defeat

17:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has admitted he does not know if he will still be in charge in two weeks' time but insists he still feels the support of the dressing room.

Sunday's 2-1 home defeat to Leicester extended Spurs' poor run to just one win in 11 league games, increasing the pressure on Postecoglou.

The Australian was without 10 injured players for the match and said "at least two others", including midfielder Pape Matar Sarr, were not fit enough to start the game in less extreme circumstances.

But Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Yves Bissouma and Djed Spence are among the players who could be available in the next "10 days to two weeks", which Postecoglou hopes will give his side "the boost they need...to make an impact in the second half of the season".

Read the full story here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Tottenham fans turn on Daniel Levy as dismal Spurs reach new low

17:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tottenham's dreadful Premier League form continued as they squandered a lead to lose 2-1 to struggling Leicester in north London.

Richarlison marked his first league start of the second by opening the scoring with a well-taken header but Spurs imploded in a four-minute period after the break.

Read the full story here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Postecoglou explains Richarlison substitution after Tottenham boos

16:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has revealed why he substituted striker Richarlison during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester.

Spurs lost their fourth consecutive Premier League game on Sunday despite taking the lead to pile further pressure on Postecoglou.

Read the full story here!

 (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
(Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Tottenham player ratings vs Leicester: Shattered Spurs running on empty

16:15 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tottenham’s dreadful slump continued as they squandered another lead to lose 2-1 at home to struggling Leicester.

Deservedly leading 1-0 at the break through Richarlison’s header, Spurs conceded twice in four minutes at the start of the second half with Jamie Vardy tapping in from close range and Bilal El Khannouss finishing from the edge of the box.

Read the full story here!

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Tottenham in crisis as Leicester stage remarkable comeback

16:00 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tottenham suffered a surprise defeat at home to Leicester as the Foxes came from behind to beat Spurs 2-1.

Read the full story here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

FT: Tottenham 1-2 Leicester

15:56 , Jonathan Gorrie

A nightmare of a result for Spurs.

What a win for Leicester.

Tottenham 1-2 Leicester

15:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

92 mins: Daka down for a head injury. Can Leicester get over the line?

Tottenham 1-2 Leicester

15:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

90 mins: SEVEN ADDED MINUTES!

Tottenham 1-2 Leicester

15:43 , Jonathan Gorrie

86 mins: The most concerning thing for Spurs here is the fact they don’t even look like scoring...

Tottenham 1-2 Leicester

15:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

79 mins: Spurs fans furious as Leicester players look to stop the game where possible.

It’s up to the hosts to force the issue.

Tottenham 1-2 Leicester

15:31 , Jonathan Gorrie

72 mins: Leicester looking to take the sting out of the game here, the players going down for treatment when possible.

It’s really stopping Spurs getting any kind of momentum.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

15:23 , Jonathan Gorrie

As Porro's deflected free-kick strikes the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten, we are at the stage where you wonder if these fine margins might be the difference between Postecoglou keeping his job or not. Spurs have responded well to their dreadful start to the second half but continue to look like a tired team, struggling for rhythm

Tottenham 1-2 Leicester

15:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

62 mins: Porro hits the bar!

Tottenham 1-2 Leicester

15:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

58 mins: Kulusevski sees his shot blocked by Faes on a Spurs counter.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

15:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

A nightmare start to the second half for Spurs, who look all over the place and have conceded two of the sloppiness goals you'll see all weekend. Fans respond with another volley of 'We want Levy out' and 'Daniel Levy, get out of our club'.

GOAL! Tottenham 1-2 Leicester | Bilal El Khannouss '50

15:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

50 mins: GOAL!

What a turnaround! El Khannouss is allowed so much time and space to drive into the box and fire at goal.

Tottenham reeling.

GOAL! Tottenham 1-1 Leicester | Jamie Vardy '47

15:06 , Jonathan Gorrie

47 mins: GOAL!

Leicester break through De Cordova-Reid. He gets behind Porro and cross for Vardy, who bundles home from close range.

Tottenham 1-0 Leicester

15:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Back underway!

Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

14:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

HT, 1-0. Richarlison's goal the difference and Spurs deserve their lead. If Hoffenheim is anything to go by, they will fade at some point so could do with another goal early in the second half.

HT: Tottenham 1-0 Leicester

14:48 , Jonathan Gorrie

45 mins: Not the most convincing from Spurs but Richarlison’s goal sees them head into the break with the advantage.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

14:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

In spite of the goal, the atmosphere is so flat. To be fair to Spurs fans, it's cold, wet and no-one feels confident that the hosts will be able to comfortably see out a 1-0 from here.

Tottenham 1-0 Leicester

14:45 , Jonathan Gorrie

42 mins: Porro shoots into the side netting after a Spurs counter.

Really should have squared to Son, who was in a much better position.

Tottenham 1-0 Leicester

14:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

40 mins: Faes heads over from a corner. Few chances for Leicester since the Spurs goal.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

14:40 , Jonathan Gorrie

That felt like a big moment for Richarlison, who marks his first league start of the season with a well-taken opening goal. If Spurs are to salvage this season, they need the Brazilian firing while Dom Solanke is out and he is looking sharp here.

Tottenham 1-0 Leicester

14:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

35 mins: Justin shoots just wide as Leicester look for an instant response.

GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 Leicester | Richarlison '33

14:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

33 mins: GOAL!

A huge moment for Spurs! Richarlison nods in Porro’s cross from close range.

Tottenham 0-0 Leicester

14:33 , Jonathan Gorrie

32 mins: Big chance for Spurs!

Son hits the bar with a deflected cross!

Tottenham 0-0 Leicester

14:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

28 mins: Sloppy stuff from Spurs on the ball, Draugsin just playing it straight out of play.

Some of the home fans did not like that!

Tottenham 0-0 Leicester

14:24 , Jonathan Gorrie

23 mins: Great block from Davies to stop a Leicester counter.

Tottenham 0-0 Leicester

14:20 , Jonathan Gorrie

18 mins: Brilliant save from Stolarczyk to deny Son after the Spurs captain cuts inside and shoots at goal.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

14:19 , Jonathan Gorrie

There's definitely a nervous feel inside the ground, particularly as Spurs have been guilty of some sloppiness in the first 15 minutes. This really does feel like a meeting between two teams struggling for confidence, one lacking quality, the other freshness.

Tottenham 0-0 Leicester

14:16 , Jonathan Gorrie

14 mins: Porro forces a decent save from Stolarczyk with an effort from around 20 yards.

Signs of life from Spurs after a poor start.

Dan Kilpatrick at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

14:12 , Jonathan Gorrie

If Thursday's win over Hoffenheim was anything to go on, Spurs are going to tire in the second half so establishing a healthy lead against a woefully out of form Leicester feels important. To that end, Postecoglou will be frustrated at Richarlison's airkick from Porro's fine pass.

Tottenham 0-0 Leicester

14:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

10 mins: Impressive stuff from Leicester to start so confidently.

Tottenham 0-0 Leicester

14:08 , Jonathan Gorrie

06 mins: Spurs haven’t started all too well here but they’ve just had a great chance through Richarlison.

The Brazilian goes through one on one but the goalkeeper wins out.

Tottenham vs Leicester

14:02 , Jonathan Gorrie

KICK-OFF!

Tottenham vs Leicester

13:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

The warm-ups are underway!

Tottenham dealt fresh injury blow as Ange Postecoglou explains James Maddison absence

13:11 , Jonathan Gorrie

Ange Postecoglou has explained why James Maddison is not in the Tottenham squad for their game against Leicester.

Maddison was a surprise absence when Postecoglou named his team for Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Read the full story here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Richarlison must now step up for Ange Postecoglou after summer transfer disaster

13:10 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tottenham's injury crisis has reached the point where Ange Postecoglou will have just four senior forwards available for the foreseeable future, unless the club signs another attacker before the February 3 deadline.

Of these, an exhausted Heung-min Son is having to "grind his way through" matches, according to the head coach; Dejan Kulusevski appears equally jaded and would prefer to play in midfield; and Mikey Moore is just 17 and has recently returned from two months out with a nasty virus.

Read the full story here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Confirmed Leicester lineup

12:54 , Jonathan Gorrie

Leicester XI: Stolarczyk; Justin, Vestergaard, Faes, Kristiansen; Winks, Soumare, El Khannouss; De Cordova-Reid, Vardy, Ayew

Subs: Iversen, Coulibaly, Coady, Okoli, Skipp, McAteer, Buonanotte, Mavididi, Daka

Confirmed Tottenham lineup

12:50 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tottenham XI: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Bentancur, Bergvall, Sarr; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son

Subs: Austin, Reguilon, Bissouma, Ajayi, Olusei, Min-Hyeok, Moore, Lankshear

Tottenham vs Leicester stats

12:29 , Giuseppe Muro

- Tottenham have lost five of their past six Premier League matches, drawing the other

- Spurs have suffered 12 defeats in their first 22 league games of a season for the first time since 1997-98

- Ange Postecoglou could become the second Spurs manager to lose four successive Premier League games on two separate occasions, emulating David Pleat in 2003-04

- Leicester could equal the club record of eight successive league defeats, set between March and April 2001

Head to head history and results

12:24 , Giuseppe Muro

Tottenham wins: 61

Draws: 22

Leicester wins: 38

Postecoglou: No need for anonymous sources to explain Spurs struggles

12:17 , Giuseppe Muro

Ange Postecoglou says injuries are the only explanation for Tottenham's troubled form and has insisted the club is “in a much better place in all areas” than when he took over in the summer of 2023.

Spurs are slumped to 15th in the table, leaving Postecoglou's tactics in the spotlight and the head coach under pressure to reverse the slide.

Spurs could be without 11 first-teamers this afternoon, including four of his regular back five and key forward Dominic Solanke.

Asked for insight into why Tottenham were struggling for points, Postecoglou said: “Just injuries.

“You can walk outside and say ‘Jeez, it’s really bright’ and look at the sun and think ‘maybe it’s not the sun.’ But it’s the sun, mate. We’ve just got injuries.

“You can do a million investigations and talk to anonymous sources but you don’t need to talk to anonymous sources you can talk to me.

“Every decision that is made is on me. I’m responsible for it. I’m the one that is guiding this. If you’re looking for a head on a stick take mine.

"But I am absolutely 100 per cent confident that we are in a much better place in all areas of the club today than we were when I started.”

Tottenham vs Leicester latest odds

12:10 , Giuseppe Muro

Tottenham to win: 1/2

Draw: 15/4

Leicester to win: 9/2

Odds via Betfair and subject to change

Head to head history and results

12:03 , Giuseppe Muro

Tottenham wins: 61

Draws: 22

Leicester wins: 38

Tottenham vs Leicester prediction

11:55 , Giuseppe Muro

Spurs may be in dire form but their attacking players surely have enough to overcome Leicester, who are one of few teams in the league in worse form than them.

The Foxes have lost seven on the spin and new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is already under pressure. Anything less than a win for Spurs would be a disaster.

Tottenham to win, 2-1.

Leicester team news

11:49 , Giuseppe Muro

Full-back Woyo Coulibaly is likely to make his debut after joining from Parma last week.

Wilfred Ndidi and Mads Hermansen will not return, while Abdul Fatuwu and Ricardo Pereira remain long-term absentees.

Tottenham team news

11:42 , Giuseppe Muro

Tottenham have injury doubts over Djed Spence, Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr.

Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson remain sidelined among a long list of absent Spurs players including Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

Being without Spence, Bissouma and Sarr would leave Ange Postecoglou desperately short of options.

Archie Gray appears in need of a rest and will have to play next Thursday against Elfsborg in the Europa League, so Sergio Reguilon could make only his second start of the season at left-back.

If Sarr and Bissouma do not make the cut, Postecoglou will have no choice but to stick with the same midfield three that played in the Thursday's 3-2 win over Hoffenheim in Germany,

Postecoglou is down to just four first-team forwards, including teenager Mikey Moore.

 (Action Images via Reuters)
(Action Images via Reuters)

How to watch

11:34 , Giuseppe Muro

TV channel and live stream: The game will not be broadcast in the UK.

Free highlights: The Sky Sports App and YouTube channel will provide free highlights. UK-based supporters can also watch highlights for free on Match of the Day Two when it airs at 10.30pm GMT on BBC One on Sunday.

Good afternoon!

11:33 , Giuseppe Muro

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Tottenham vs Leicester!

It’s a crunch game for Spurs with pressure building on Ange Postecoglou.

Spurs are languishing down in 15th place in the Premier League and another bad result against lowly Leicester would pile pressure on Postecoglou, who will hope his side can build on their 3-2 Europa League win over Hoffenheim on Thursday.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 2pm GMT from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium!

 (Liverpool FC via Getty Images202)
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images202)