Leicester 1-1 Tottenham (19 Aug 2024) Match Analysis

Experienced striker Jamie Vardy earned promoted Leicester City a 1-1 draw against a sloppy Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League season opener on Monday.

Tottenham Hotspur dominated the first half, but Pedro Porro’s opening goal in the 29th minute was the only moment when they could convert one of the many good chances.

More clear-cut chances followed after the break, but the visitors’ wastefulness cost them dearly when Leicester captain Vardy headed in an equaliser in the 57th minute.

Brazilian Richarlison missed a golden opportunity to win the game at the last moment and Spurs had to settle for a single point in a game where they really should have taken all three.

“Disappointing night for us,” Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou told Sky Sports. “First half excellent and controlled the game but wasteful in front of goal. Second half was the same.

“We started well and when Leicester scored the crowd cheered up and we lost our composure. That was a problem we had last year, we have to keep working hard and be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. Sometimes we made bad decisions.

“It’s not our football or our effort. To get results you have to be much more ruthless in the final third. If we don’t do that, we won’t get the rewards that our football deserves.”

The match went from bad to worse for Tottenham Hotspur when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was carried off on a stretcher after an eight-minute stoppage in the second half following a nasty collision.

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The Uruguay international was given oxygen while surrounded by medical staff, but it was later reported that he was recovering.

A poor finish to last season saw Spurs miss out on a top four finish in Australian Postecoglou’s first year as manager.

The North London club have invested in several new players in the off-season as they look to once again challenge for a place in the Champions League qualification, with striker Dominic Solanke being the biggest investment.

The former Bournemouth striker, who is back in the Premier League after a year in the Second Division, should have opened his ticket for Spurs in the first half at the King Power Stadium.

Solanke quickly set Leicester free, but Porro turned in a cross from James Maddison and headed in the opening goal.

The second half looked like it would be all about how many Spurs would score, with Solanke again missing big chances.

Vardy made no mistake when presented with the chance to take a point for Leicester, however, with the 37-year-old scoring his eighth goal in the opening Premier League game of his career, surpassed only by Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

“I see age as a number,” Vardy said. “As long as I keep looking after myself and my legs keep feeling good, then I’ll keep going as long as it’s physically possible.

“I wouldn’t say I’m doing anything different game-wise. I’ve probably adapted a little bit by coming in, but I think the most important thing is that I’m recovering optimally.”