Tottenham nearly had their perfect result. After a cagey and scoreless first half at home against Leeds United, Spurs went ahead thanks to an absolute rocket of a shot into the top corner from Mathys Tel in the second half. However, it was not to be. Tel, who was the Main Character™ of this match, later attempted an overhead clearance inside his own penalty box when Ethan Ampadu leaped in to try and head to ball towards goal. Tel, who couldn’t see Ampadu, unintentionally clipped him in the head,
and after a six minute VAR review and a visit to the monitor, the match official called a penalty kick, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored to level the match.
Spurs had plenty of opportunities to put this one to bed, but were wasteful with their chances, with poor games from Randal Kolo Muani and Richarlison, who had multiple opportunities to score. Deep into stoppage time, Tottenham thought they had their first penalty of the match when substitute James Maddison, playing his first minutes of the season as a late sub, was bundled over in the box. But the match official declined to make the call and Spurs ended up with a disappointing 1-1 draw.
The result isn’t disastrous for Tottenham — they’re still two points ahead of West Ham with two matches to play — but it’s not a comfortable lead and means that Spurs need to match or better West Ham’s result away at Newcastle. Spurs play away at Samford Bridge next week, a place where they have won just once in the league since 1990.
Ugh. What a dispiriting result. Here are my match reactions.
Match Reactions
- Unchanged lineup from the match against Villa, which, y’know, makes sense. That was probably one of Spurs’ best matches of the season (the bar is very low) so why not try it again?
- Any suggestion that Leeds might be on the beach for this one were put to bed inside 10 minutes. They’re a well-organized side that has hit their stride at the right time. This was never going to be an easy match.
- Frustrating moment from Richy early on — a great ball into space behind the lines by Pedro Porro which Richy easily ran onto, only to be squandered by a heavy touch. But encouraging that they got that kind of ball in behind at all, really.
- Incredible save by Kinsky midway through the first half. No idea how that didn’t cross the line but he got there and saved Spurs from conceding first.
- A penalty corner! I haven’t seen one given this season since week one when one was called against Tottenham. I thought those were the annual “point of emphasis” rule change that gets enforced one week out of each season and then never called again.
- Spurs had a BUNCH of good chances in that first half and somehow wasn’t able to put it in the ol’ onion bag, which was both encouraging and also hugely frustrating. But it was also notable how little of those chances came about from passing through central midfield (lather, rinse, repeat)
- Spurs are probably lucky VAR confirmed offside on Leeds’ late chance in the first half because otherwise I think it’s pretty likely they would have also confirmed a penalty against Danso.
- Hey, Spurs didn’t concede in stoppage time!
- WHAT A HIT MATHYS TEL!! Exquisitely placed in the top corner. That’s the kind of shot that he tries to do all the time and it never seems to come off for him. This time it did, and I’m so happy for him!
- Joao Palhinha nearly slide-tackled a ball into the back of the net and if it had gone in I would’ve died a happy man because that would’ve ruled so hard.
- Another frustrating game for Randy Kolo Muani, though he did have that one lovely touch for Richarlison that Pombo skied over the bar.
- Speaking of Richy, not his best of outings either. Just incredibly profligate with his chances, though he tries so hard and presses like a maniac and clearly loves Spurs so much.
- The Tel penalty was unfortunate, but the right call. Intent doesn’t really matter — Tel doesn’t see the Leeds player, but — bad decision to try an overhead kick clearance in the box and he caught him in the head. It’s a clear penalty and VAR made the right decision. The REAL argument is whether that call would’ve been made if it were Gabriel making the overhead kick.
- JAMES MADDISON SUBSTITUTE! God, doesn’t matter how rusty he is or whether he made an impact or not, it was just so good to have him back.
- I have no idea how the official came up with 13 minutes of stoppage time, just like I have no idea how he called a handball against Micky after he got fouled and grabbed the ball expecting a call. But I’ll take it.
- WHAT A SAVE BY KINSKY from Longstaff’s rocket! That saved Spurs’ season, no question.
- I am FURIOUS that the Maddison tackle wasn’t ruled a penalty, that was stone cold nailed on, and I have no idea apart from a Tottenham conspiracy that it wasn’t given. Unreal.
- A draw isn’t a BAD result for Spurs, it just isn’t the ideal one. Tottenham are still two points ahead of West Ham with two to play and have a very healthy goal differential advantage in the event of a tie. The nightmare scenario is that Spurs get pumped at Stamford Bridge next week and West Ham somehow wins at Newcastle. But as long as Spurs match West Ham’s results, it’s fine. This is FINE. It’s all fine. I am okay with the events that are unfolding currently. It’s okay, it’s all going to be okay.
