Hugo Boss

Back to his best? Hugo Lloris is congratulated by his teammates after making a crucial penalty save against Leicester.

Image Credit: Evening Standard

By Lee Clow

10 February 2019 | Premier League

A Hugo Lloris penalty save proved to be pivotal as Spurs ran out an unconvincing 3-1 victory over Leicester City.

Spurs continued their winning run in the Premier League and ensured they were still in the title race with a hard-fought win over Leicester City. Spurs were not at their sparkling best and if it were not for poor finishing by Leicester and a penalty save from Lloris, the game may have gone the other way.

Half an hour into the first half, Christian Eriksen beautifully delivered a cross into the box which was met by Davinson Sanchez who headed home his first Spurs goal.

Leicester had the chance to equalise shortly after the break from the spot kick after defender Jan Vertonghen tripped up James Maddison in the box. Substitute Vardy went up to take the penalty but found his spot kick saved well by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Leicester were made to pay for their missed opportunity when three minutes later Christian Eriksen produced a moment of quality and fired the ball past the diving Schmeichel to double the home sides advantage.

The penalty miss and the goal against did not dishearten Leicester who eventually found a breakthrough. Ricardo Pereira drove to the by-line and delivered in low cross which was tapped in by Vardy to half Tottenham’s lead and set up a tense finish.

In stoppage time after amounting a lot of pressure from Leicester, Spurs sealed the win as in-form Son broke away from the half way line and slotted home past Schmeichel to score his 11th goal in his last 13 appearances.

Spurs’ victory records them their fourth consecutive league win and closes the gap between Manchester City and Liverpool at the summit. The defeat for Leicester now means they are now winless in their last five Premier League matches.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was especially pleased with the character and fighting spirit his side displayed in the 3-1 win over Leicester. "I feel very proud. I think it was a fantastic result…It was a tough game and Leicester played so well. You always have to fight to the end for big things…We were a little bit lucky today and we deserved it because we fought. More times I need to congratulate my players because I thought they were fantastic."

Claude Puel after the game spoke on how his team had more than enough chances and about the disappointment of not taking them. "It's disappointing and again we are left with not a good feeling. We should've had the game between our hands with a lot of chances…We created a lot of good moves with a lot of good intentions and we didn't find good finishing. We had all the opportunities to win this game, but we couldn't finish.”

What’s next?

Tottenham now turn their attention towards their first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. Leicester on the other hand host Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.