Close menu
Premier League
TottenhamTottenham Hotspur3LeicesterLeicester City1

Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Leicester City: Son Heung-min & Harry Kane clinch victory

By Jonathan JurejkoBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Premier Leaguecomments699

Son Heung-min scores Tottenham's third against Leicester
Son Heung-min has scored a career-high 19 goals in the Premier League this season, with only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (22) having netted more

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte says "nobody could have imagined" his team would still be in the race for Champions League qualification when he arrived in November.

Son Heung-min scored twice and Harry Kane rediscovered his touch in front of goal as Spurs beat Leicester to boost their hopes of a top-four Premier League finish.

Tottenham moved briefly into fourth place with the win, but neighbours Arsenal regained the spot by beating West Ham later on Sunday.

"It was vital to get three points. There was a lot of pressure but I told my players to enjoy this moment because we deserved it after really great work that we did in these six months," said Conte, who joined Spurs after they sacked Nuno Espirito Santo.

"No-one could have imagined when I arrived in November we could be in this race still, but these players are deserving to fight for such an important place. It is not easy to qualify for the Champions League in England."

England captain Kane, goalless in his previous five Spurs games, headed in the opener from Son's corner.

Son stroked in the second after being picked out by Dejan Kulusevski, then curled in a sensational third for his 19th league goal of the season.

Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho scored a consolation with a crisp strike.

"It was a great, great afternoon, a great match and a great performance from the team. We totally deserved it," said Son, who trails Liverpool's Mohamed Salah by three goals in the race to finish as the Premier League's top scorer this season.

"Winning the Golden Boot is not important for me. Scoring goals is really good but you can't score alone. You need the team.

"If I get the chances, then I will try to score. We want to finish in the Champions League and I want to play in the Champions League."

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers made eight changes to his starting XI, with the game coming in the middle of their two-legged Europa Conference League semi-final against Roma.

The Foxes remain 11th in the Premier League table, meaning winning Europe's third club competition seems their only realistic route into continental action next season.

Attacking trio help Spurs rediscover their groove

With upcoming matches against title-chasing Liverpool and top-four rivals Arsenal, Tottenham knew the importance of returning to winning ways against a Leicester side with more pressing priorities this week.

Spurs had not won either their two previous matches, punished for a sluggish display in a home defeat by Brighton and unable to break down a stubborn Brentford last weekend.

What was most startling about those performances, considering the amount of attacking talent at their disposal, was Spurs' inability to record a shot on target in either game.

But Conte's side led at half-time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with their only effort on target, then rediscovered their attacking verve after the break.

Their trusted combination up front delivered for the first when Son clipped a corner towards the near post, where Kane had escaped his marker Daniel Amartey to power in.

"We scored early in the first half and that changed the game - we knew we'd have more space in the second half," said Son.

Harry Kane heads in Tottenham's opening goal against Leicester
Harry Kane has scored 19 goals in 18 games against Leicester in all competitions - more than against any other side

The start of the second half was also tight before Son - helped by the running and guile of Kulusevski, introduced as a substitute after surprisingly being left on the bench - ensured there was no way back for Leicester.

Tottenham's reinvigoration in front of goal particularly pleased Conte, who took over from former Wolves boss Nuno with Spurs eighth in the table.

"I think we were more clinical in this game. There was space for us and we exploited it very well. That was the key," said the ex-Chelsea, Juventus and Italy manager.

Tottenham 3-1 Leicester: Antonio Conte praises Son Heung-Min for 'fantastic' goal

Cheap goals again prove costly for Leicester

While Leicester's main focus is on reaching a first European final, Foxes manager Rodgers insisted his much-changed side would not be distracted from their task at Tottenham.

The visitors' rejigged line-up made a confident start. Forward Ayoze Perez forced Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris into a smart stop shortly before Patson Daka thumped the post, then a dangerous cross from Marc Albrighton needed a swift intervention from Cristian Romero with Perez waiting.

But it was the old failing of defending corners which came back to damage Leicester.

"Defending corners has been a problem for us all season - we lack aggression and cuteness. It was so disappointing," said Rodgers.

"It is something we will have to look at in the summer through personnel. The mentality to head the ball is missing; it's something we would need to address."

Rodgers was also left cursing Caglar Soyuncu's inability to win a loose ball against Romero, which allowed Kulusevski to set up Son for Spurs' pivotal second.

"We got the game back again and started the second half with confidence. We missed a challenge we cannot miss and they end up getting the goal from that. The challenge is in our favour, we have to win it," said the Leicester manager.

"The players kept fighting and the spirit was there. We kept fighting until the end. It is frustrating because of the nature of the game and there were lots of pleasing things.

"But you can't give away cheap goals."

Tottenham 3-1 Leicester: Brendan Rodgers says Leicester gave away 'cheap goals'

Line-ups

Tottenham

Formation 3-4-3

  • 1Lloris
  • 4Romero
  • 15Dier
  • 33DaviesBooked at 26mins
  • 12Emerson Royal
  • 30BentancurBooked at 58minsSubstituted forWinksat 82'minutes
  • 5Højbjerg
  • 19R Sessegnon
  • 27Lucas MouraSubstituted forKulusevskiat 55'minutes
  • 10Kane
  • 7Son Heung-MinSubstituted forBergwijnat 82'minutes

Substitutes

  • 6D Sánchez
  • 8Winks
  • 14Rodon
  • 21Kulusevski
  • 22Gollini
  • 23Bergwijn
  • 42White
  • 44Scarlett
  • 51Craig

Leicester

Formation 3-5-2

  • 1Schmeichel
  • 27Castagne
  • 18AmarteyBooked at 63mins
  • 4Söyüncü
  • 11AlbrightonBooked at 48mins
  • 42SoumaréSubstituted forBruntat 67'minutes
  • 24Mendy
  • 17PérezSubstituted forTielemansat 76'minutes
  • 33ThomasBooked at 66mins
  • 14Iheanacho
  • 29DakaSubstituted forVardyat 67'minutes

Substitutes

  • 2Justin
  • 3Fofana
  • 7Barnes
  • 8Tielemans
  • 9Vardy
  • 12Ward
  • 20Choudhury
  • 37Lookman
  • 62Brunt
Referee:
Jonathan Moss
Attendance:
59,482

Match Stats

Home TeamTottenhamAway TeamLeicester
Possession
Home39%
Away61%
Shots
Home13
Away6
Shots on Target
Home7
Away2
Corners
Home7
Away3
Fouls
Home13
Away8

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Leicester City 1.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 3, Leicester City 1.

  3. Post update

    Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Daniel Amartey.

  4. Post update

    Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  5. Post update

    Foul by Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur).

  6. Post update

    Attempt missed. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.

  7. Goal!

    Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 3, Leicester City 1. Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Youri Tielemans.

  8. Post update

    Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

  9. Post update

    Foul by Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur).

  10. Post update

    Attempt missed. Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Timothy Castagne with a cross.

  11. Post update

    Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  12. Post update

    Foul by Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur).

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Steven Bergwijn replaces Son Heung-Min.

  14. Substitution

    Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Winks replaces Rodrigo Bentancur.

  15. Goal!

    Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 3, Leicester City 0. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Dejan Kulusevski.

  16. Substitution

    Substitution, Leicester City. Youri Tielemans replaces Ayoze Pérez.

  17. Post update

    Attempt saved. Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Son Heung-Min with a cross.

  18. Post update

    Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Timothy Castagne.

  19. Post update

    Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Cristian Romero.

  20. Substitution

    Substitution, Leicester City. Lewis Brunt replaces Boubakary Soumaré.

Page 1 of 5
Navigate to the last page

Player of the match

Son Heung-MinSon Heung-Min

with an average of 8.05

Tottenham Hotspur

  1. Squad number7Player nameSon Heung-Min
    Average rating

    8.05

  2. Squad number21Player nameKulusevski
    Average rating

    8.01

  3. Squad number10Player nameKane
    Average rating

    7.35

  4. Squad number4Player nameRomero
    Average rating

    6.99

  5. Squad number23Player nameBergwijn
    Average rating

    6.75

  6. Squad number15Player nameDier
    Average rating

    6.74

  7. Squad number30Player nameBentancur
    Average rating

    6.65

  8. Squad number27Player nameLucas Moura
    Average rating

    6.60

  9. Squad number33Player nameDavies
    Average rating

    6.57

  10. Squad number1Player nameLloris
    Average rating

    6.39

  11. Squad number19Player nameRyan Sessegnon
    Average rating

    6.28

  12. Squad number8Player nameWinks
    Average rating

    5.95

  13. Squad number12Player nameEmerson Royal
    Average rating

    5.62

  14. Squad number5Player nameHøjbjerg
    Average rating

    5.41

Leicester City

  1. Squad number1Player nameSchmeichel
    Average rating

    5.33

  2. Squad number14Player nameIheanacho
    Average rating

    5.32

  3. Squad number29Player nameDaka
    Average rating

    5.17

  4. Squad number11Player nameAlbrighton
    Average rating

    5.11

  5. Squad number24Player nameMendy
    Average rating

    5.00

  6. Squad number17Player nameAyoze Pérez
    Average rating

    4.99

  7. Squad number33Player nameThomas
    Average rating

    4.98

  8. Squad number27Player nameCastagne
    Average rating

    4.88

  9. Squad number42Player nameSoumaré
    Average rating

    4.82

  10. Squad number4Player nameSöyüncü
    Average rating

    4.73

  11. Squad number18Player nameAmartey
    Average rating

    4.73

  12. Squad number9Player nameVardy
    Average rating

    4.51

  13. Squad number8Player nameTielemans
    Average rating

    4.43

  14. Squad number62Player nameBrunt
    Average rating

    4.19

Everything you need to know about your Premier League team banner
  • Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before - here's everything you need to know to make sure you never miss a moment
BBC Sport banner footer

Comments

Join the conversation

These comments are now closed.

699 comments

  • Comment posted by Username321, at 16:03 1 May

    Kulusevski changed the game, him and Romero have been incredible signings.

    • Reply posted by Coolverine, at 16:10 1 May

      Coolverine replied:
      Agreed

  • Comment posted by brendan, at 16:00 1 May

    If they're in the mood they're a match for anyone.
    If only they could find the formula to play with greater consistency and dedication week in and week out?

    • Reply posted by GiantDave, at 21:51 1 May

      GiantDave replied:
      They were certainly a match for Leicester reserves!

  • Comment posted by macca, at 16:04 1 May

    Well done spurs at least one London team has some integrity unlike Chelsea

    • Reply posted by lilyw, at 16:16 1 May

      lilyw replied:
      Could NOT have put that better me thinks

  • Comment posted by Anti Kate G F, at 16:08 1 May

    Son is world class. When the spurs front three fire, they r unstoppable

  • Comment posted by Hampshire Spur, at 16:23 1 May

    Graham Roberts-esque tackle by romero for 2nd goal. World class defender. Needs another top defender next to him next season.

    • Reply posted by Wombat_LCFC, at 21:11 1 May

      Wombat_LCFC replied:
      Harry Maguire would be good signing, seriously
      To get a fresh start with a good manager, he could get back to his best, and at the 30 million United are asking for him, would be a steal

  • Comment posted by kernowspurs, at 16:03 1 May

    Romero was a beast! Coys

    • Reply posted by BlackbirdLeysSpurs, at 16:06 1 May

      BlackbirdLeysSpurs replied:
      Just need Foyth back to play alongside now, he’s been brilliant this season

  • Comment posted by cordelia, at 16:27 1 May

    Son deserves more praise than he gets for his spirit and commitment in every game.

    • Reply posted by markembery, at 17:01 2 May

      markembery replied:
      Great comment

  • Comment posted by Mark, at 16:19 1 May

    Despite a poor performance from our wing backs, it was a good win. Kulusevksi’s intro changed the pace. Son was sensational

    • Reply posted by billbrown1961, at 16:36 1 May

      billbrown1961 replied:
      Sessegnon disappeared in the 2nd half. Royal was a bit better today but it would have been a different story if Madison had been playing.

  • Comment posted by Greenlantern, at 16:01 1 May

    Now for the first time COME ON WEST HAM !!!

  • Comment posted by Scotsman88, at 16:03 1 May

    Son and Kane are a great combination. a few additions to the squad. and Keeping Conte could get us where we need to be

    • Reply posted by steve_harmisons_middle_finger, at 16:10 1 May

      steve_harmisons_middle_finger replied:
      Keeping Conte is even bigger than keeping Harry

  • Comment posted by blue boy, at 16:02 1 May

    No excuses, better team won.

    • Reply posted by Bazza84, at 16:05 1 May

      Bazza84 replied:
      Painful to admit but true. We looked utterly clueless today.

  • Comment posted by Finkelstein, at 16:03 1 May

    Brilliant win for the Spurs and back in fourth. It will go to the wire and hopefully West Ham will stuff the Arsenal.

    • Reply posted by BlackbirdLeysSpurs, at 16:10 1 May

      BlackbirdLeysSpurs replied:
      Will Chelsea get another point? They are toothless in front of goal and Rudiger got his new contract oh my days

  • Comment posted by Spurssince1958, at 21:09 1 May

    Arsenal the form team, the more consistent team right now. If Chelsea keep up the at the beach mentality then they will be overtaken by Arsenal. If we can get something, anything at Anfield and beat Arsenal we will be 4th. However, a team losing at home to brighton southampton and others in the manner we did does not really deserve to be in the mix. That said, this is a better spurs team now

  • Comment posted by Dommo, at 16:03 1 May

    Got to play that for the remaining games and hopefully top 4 place will be ours. Come on you Hammers, do us a favour later!

    • Reply posted by ohound52, at 22:33 1 May

      ohound52 replied:
      Never

  • Comment posted by FairwaySpur, at 16:03 1 May

    Three goals, three points, three cheers You Spurs - see you at Anfield next Saturday night
    COYS

    • Reply posted by BlackbirdLeysSpurs, at 16:05 1 May

      BlackbirdLeysSpurs replied:
      Liverpool will be wary of the counter, it’s our best weapon

  • Comment posted by Dutchjimbo, at 17:03 1 May

    Odd how Kane gets all the fawning from the BBC, when Son continually seems to score brilliant goals!

    • Reply posted by Mostly Harmless, at 17:06 1 May

      Mostly Harmless replied:
      Not odd how some folk seem to read articles through a shoulder chip filter.

  • Comment posted by andyw, at 16:07 1 May

    Spurs looked on the beach at times in the first half, but the way the game changed when Kulu came on shows why he usually starts. Hopefully that will be the case for the remaining games and top 4 will be secured. Good luck Irons later this afternoon and for next Thursday evening.

    • Reply posted by margaret, at 19:40 2 May

      margaret replied:
      Come on Eintracht, dump those Hamsters 🐹 OUT !

  • Comment posted by ingmarsen, at 16:06 1 May

    Okay well done but Liverpool next . Will not be easy as they're going for the ' title ' . Do like Conte as a top coach though . He say's depending on what happens at end of season and summer transfers in and out will decide if he stays or goes . He's a winner , not happy with just contending for CL places with mediocrity !!!

    • Reply posted by ParkersMum28, at 14:48 2 May