Leicester City may have hammered another nail into Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur coffin thanks to an astonishing 2-1 Premier League win over the Lilywhites in North London.
Evidently still jelly-legged from Thursday's trip to Hoffenheim, an injury-hit Tottenham did not dazzle and delight in the opening period, but one pinpoint Pedro Porro delivery and brave Richarlison header was enough for a slender lead at the break.
However, Ruud van Nistelrooy's men were a team reborn at the start of the second half, where Jamie Vardy continued his perennial torment of Big Six clubs before Bilal El Khannouss incredibly launched the Foxes into the lead.
Spurs desperately tried to find a way back into the contest for the remainder of the second half, but they ran into a blue brick wall time and time again, as Postecoglou became just the second Spurs manager to lose four Premier League games in a row twice.
As the Lilywhites continue to languish in 15th place in the Premier League table - just eight points clear of the relegation zone - Leicester climb out of the bottom three, sending Wolverhampton Wanderers below the dotted line.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Time to play the blame game.
Up until now, the under-pressure Postecoglou is thought to have had the complete backing of the Tottenham powers-that-be, who have recognised that the Australian has been dealing with an injury crisis of devastating proportions this season.
It is true that the injury gods have been conspiring against Postecoglou, who also warned the board that they are "playing with fire" by not making any outfield signings this month, and he cannot put the ball in the back of the net himself if his players are failing in that regard.
However, Tottenham have still been able to put out a powerful first XI most weeks, and given their visitors' atrocious form heading into Sunday's match, there can be absolutely no excuse from the men in white.
After four straight Premier League defeats, it is becoming increasingly difficult to defend Postecoglou, but would a change in the dugout really solve anything? Antonio Conte could not save Spurs. Jose Mourinho could not save Spurs. Nuno Espirito Santo was given the boot prematurely and is now pulling up trees at Nottingham Forest.
Daniel Levy may very well feel that there are no suitable candidates ready to take over from Postecoglou at this point, and he might be right. But if the 62-year-old does not get his chequebook out an act in the transfer market, there is every chance that his beloved Tottenham will be playing Championship football next season.
TOTTENHAM VS. LEICESTER HIGHLIGHTS
33rd min: Tottenham 1-0 Leicester (Richarlison)
© Iconsport
On his first Premier League start of the season, Richarlison draws first blood!
Leicester give Pedro Porro far too much time and space to whip in a cross from the right flank - a fatal error, as the Spaniard's delivery is perfectly on the money for Richarlison, who comfortably evades Wout Faes and James Justin to nod home at the back stick.
The Brazilian crashes into the post for his troubles, but he escapes unharmed and celebrates with the ball under the shirt; he announced last month that he and his partner are expecting.
47th min: Tottenham 1-1 Leicester (Jamie Vardy)
© Imago
Hello there!
Whatever choice words Van Nistelrooy had for his players at half time clearly had the desired effect, as Leicester surge forward straight from kickoff, and Bobby Decordova-Reid sends an inviting low ball into the box.
Antonin Kinsky and Archie Gray try to stop the cross from reaching Vardy, but they both miss the ball entirely, and the Foxes talisman smashes the ball into the empty net for an equaliser!
In typical Vardy fashion, the perpetual wind-up merchant celebrates by reminding Spurs fans of how many Premier League titles he has, and how many their club have.
50th min: Tottenham 1-2 Leicester (Bilal El Khannouss)
Astonishing! The age-old cliche of football being a game of two halves certainly applies to this match, and the Foxes have turned it around in the blink of an eye!
Porro's lackadaisical pass to Radu Dragusin is picked off by Boubakary Soumare, who lays off Decordova-Reid to feed El Khannouss in the centre of the park.
Tottenham have absolutely no midfield, none of their defenders wants to put a foot in to stop El Khannouss, and the youngster takes full advantage with a beautiful curler into the bottom corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - JAKUB STOLARCZYK
© Imago
When Leicester needed a calm and collected presence in between the posts to get them over the line, Jakub Stolarczyk provided it, and the 24-year-old undoubtedly deserved to come out on the winning side.
Stolarczyk commanded his area with authority throughout, making five saves, three punches and six clearances, and the Pole is certainly earning his stars while number one Mads Hermansen recovers from injury.
TOTTENHAM VS. LEICESTER MATCH STATS
Possession: Tottenham 61%-39% Leicester
Shots: Tottenham 14-12 Leicester
Shots on target: Tottenham 6-3 Leicester
Corners: Tottenham 6-4 Leicester
Fouls: Tottenham 6-16 Leicester
BEST STATS
Most goals + assists by defenders in the Premier League since Pedro Porro made his debut in the competition in February 2023:
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 26, 2025
◉ 23 - Pedro Porro
◎ 23- Trent Alexander-Arnold
The perfect ball in for Richarlison. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/5tCK0F7bLn
2 - This is the first time Spurs have conceded two goals in the opening five minutes of a second half in the Premier League since November 1997 against Liverpool. Rocked. pic.twitter.com/j3btSYOwzl
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 26, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
A dejected Tottenham quickly turn their attention back to the Europa League, hosting Elfsborg in Thursday's last league phase battle, before an intriguing London derby away to Brentford next Sunday.
Meanwhile, Leicester's fight against the drop continues away to David Moyes's Everton next Saturday, six days before Van Nistelrooy reunites with Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Ben Knapton
