Tottenham 3-0 Leicester: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Harry Kane Double Outclasses Lethargic Foxes
Harry Kane hit two and created another as Tottenham dented Leicester's Champions League aspirations with a convincing 3-0 win in north London.
Spurs went ahead inside the first five minutes when Son Heung-min's right-footed strike deflected in off James Justin, with Kane launching a quick counter attack with an inch perfect pass.
The home side doubled their lead just before half time as Lucas Moura played Kane through, with the England captain lashing a left-footed shot past Kasper Schmeichel.
The pair combined again moments later, with the Brazilian claiming an assist as Kane shifted the ball on to his right foot and curled brilliantly into the far corner amid some more sloppy Leicester defending.
The result leaves Leicester's Champions League aspirations in danger, while Tottenham are inching closer to a Europa League spot, leapfrogging Wolves into sixth position.
TOTTENHAM
Key Talking Point
Jose Mourinho stuck with the same side who were victorious against Newcastle and Arsenal, although there was plenty of interchanging between positions, hinting at an increasing comfortability between the players involved.
Spurs countered well with clinical runs, picking off the Foxes' slow back three at times with relative ease. Kane was the sharpest he has been since the restart and his two goals, as well as the pass to Son for the opener, showed his undoubted value as an all-round game-changer.
There were some nervous moments early on and Hugo Lloris made an instinctive stop to deny Ayoze Perez. However, they showed a strong defensive resolve and their attacking stars reinforced the backline consistently - a sign of a Mourinho side if ever there was one.
Despite Leicester's improvement in the second half, it was relatively smooth sailing for Spurs and Kane's performance ultimately was the difference between the sides.
That pass from Kane to Son. ? pic.twitter.com/zvBSJXUHkE
— 90min (@90min_Football) July 19, 2020
#thfc Easy to see what Mourinho means when he talks about defensive record being about whole team, not just back four. Leicester's three corners cleared by Kane, Son and Lucas so far.
— Dan Kilpatrick (@Dan_KP) July 19, 2020
Mourinho loves to spoil a big crucial game for Brendan pic.twitter.com/JyihPuv4GK
— ???? (@F1avs) July 19, 2020
Tottenham Player Ratings
Starting XI: Lloris (8); Aurier (7), Sanchez (7), Alderweireld (7), Davies (7); Sissoko (7), Lo Celso (7), Winks (7); Moura (8), Son (8), Kane (9*).
Substitutes: Bergwijn (6), Lamela (7), Skipp (N/A), Gedson (N/A).
Harry Kane
Kane was back to his very best and terrorised the Leicester defence all afternoon.
His pin point pass to Son for the opener was sublime and his two finishes with either foot were vintage Kane. He made runs beyond Leicester's central defence and also dropped deeper to get on the ball to great effect.
His determination to get back and defend would have also impressed his manager and he's showing that he has no issue scoring in a side managed by Mourinho.
“Harry Kane won’t score goals in a Jose Mourinho team”. #COYS #THFC #TOTLEI pic.twitter.com/LRYQoCFjI9
— DC (@DC_THFC) July 19, 2020
Harry Kane 15 goals in 10 appearances against Leicester City. That’s a phenomenal record.
— Noz Ahmed (@NozAhmed) July 19, 2020
LEICESTER
Key Talking Point
Injuries and suspensions gave Brendan Rodgers little choice but to use a 3-5-2 last time out and it proved extremely effective against Sheffield United, but they had no such luck this time around.
The Foxes were caught out early on as Spurs' deflected shot opened the scoring and, despite growing into the game in the second half, they weren't clinical enough in front of goal.
Jamie Vardy looked lively on occasion and Perez brought the best out of Lloris just after the first-half drinks break with a fierce drive, but the absence of Caglar Soyuncu and Ben Chilwell left the Foxes defence without any real pace at the back and they were made to pay in the opening 45 minutes.
The trio of Kane, Lucas and Son ran rings around the weary Wes Morgan and rusty Ryan Bennett and the latter was largely at fault for allowing Kane on to his favoured right boot for the third.
It was tough afternoon for Rodgers and he'll need to rally his troops once again for a massive game against Manchester United on the final day of the Premier League season.
What’s happened to Leicester without Soyuncu?? ?? #TOTLEI
— Daniel?? (@MCFC_DDeakin) July 19, 2020
What odds will I get for Pearson to take charge of Leicester for the last two games? ?
— KopAce (@KopAce74) July 19, 2020
Mourinho to Leicester's #UCL hopes: pic.twitter.com/PwPH5V4WEe
— Goal (@goal) July 19, 2020
Leicester Player Ratings
Starting XI: Schmeichel (7); Bennett (5), Morgan (5), Evans (6); Justin (6), Tielemans (6), Ndidi (6), Thomas (6); Perez (6), Vardy (7), Barnes (6).
Substitutes: Gray (7*), Iheanacho (6), Mendy (6), Praet (6), Hirst (6).
Demarai Gray
Gray looked lively after coming on at half time, forcing saves from Lloris on two occasions and adding plenty of pace to the left hand side.
He was the driving force behind Leicester's improved second half display, although it came too late to salvage anything for the away side.
Beyond me why Demarai Gray doesn't start over Harvey Barnes. Much better player.
— Arastu (@illidan_storm) July 19, 2020
Will always maintain there’s a player in Demarai Gray
— NORWEGIAN SHERWOOD (@noncelona) July 19, 2020
Looking Ahead
Tottenham have a final day trip to Selhurst Park to take on a Crystal Palace side that have won just once since the restart.
Leicester have a final weekend showdown with United at the King Power Stadium, where the much coveted fourth spot may go to the winner of that game.