Spurs 1 Leeds 1
Yet another twist in the relegation fight. It’s hard to put into words just how important this game was for Spurs tonight giving them the chance to go four points clear of West Ham with two games to go but they just didn’t do anywhere near enough to win the game tonight, the first half was bereft of quality from both sides with Joe Rodon going the closest to opening the scoring with a header from a corner which was brilliantly saved by Kinsky at his near-post. Spurs controlled possession in the first half but couldn’t create anything to worry Darlow in the Leeds goal as the first half quickly drew to a close, it didn’t take long in the second half for the first goal as a Spurs corner was cleared to Mathys Tel on the edge of the box who took a touch and curled a beauty past Darlow to give Spurs the lead in the 50th minute. Leeds started to get a foothold in the game as Spurs were falling further and further back with a Leeds crossed poorly cleared by Richarlison in the box as Mathys Tel tried to bicycle-kick the ball out but caught Ampadu right on the head which the referee didn’t see in real time and allowed the game to continue, on the replay it was quite obvious that Tel missed the ball completely and the ref was brought to the screen where after review he awarded Leeds a penalty which Calvert-Lewin dispatched with some force to bring Leeds level in the 74th minute. From there it was all Leeds who really should have taken the lead as Longstaff missed two great chances with one of them taking a miraculous save from Kinsky to keep Spurs level, there was 13 minutes added on as Spurs wrestled control back but they couldn’t find the winner late on as West Ham remain in touching distance with two games left.
A really disappointing result and performance from Spurs. After the game against Villa last Sunday you’d think Spurs would bring some momentum into this game at home but that lack of quality in the attack was stark and just a reminder to everyone of the situation Spurs still find themselves in, the likes of Richarlison and Kolo-Muani who are full internationals for Brazil and France were absolutely awful with the Brazilian looking like the slowest player in the Premier League at times tonight. Whilst Kolo-Muani is playing out of position on the right-wing I still expect so much more from someone who was electric on loan at Juventus last season, it’s such a shame we haven’t seen that version for Spurs this season. Obviously we know that the midfield of Bentancur-Palhinha-Gallagher isn’t going to create anything for the attack which is why I was surprised that Bergvaal was only subbed on in the 81st minute, the return of Maddison gave the stadium a huge boost and I’m glad to see him back after such a long time out almost winning a penalty in added time. The player Spurs need to be thanking the most after tonight is Antonin Kinsky who saved a point in the end for Spurs with two brilliant saves with the one from Longstaff at the end the pick of the bunch, glad to see him back to form following the disaster in Madrid a few months ago, overall I don’t think the point really does much for Spurs as a win against Newcastle on Sunday puts West Ham out of the relegation zone with Spurs heading to Stamford Bridge next Tuesday, that’s sure to be some game.
Yet another example of just how strong this Leeds side is. Leeds had nothing to play for other than pride tonight but still should have won the game in the end, despite missing players like Okafor and Gudmundsson they still took the game to Spurs in the second half which should have got them three points. The player I was most impressed with was Ethan Ampadu who in my opinion has been Leeds’ player of the season bossing that midfield and putting his head where it hurts which gave Leeds the penalty to get back into the game, Ampadu along with Tanaka wrestled back control of the game for Leeds after Spurs scored winning almost every duel up against a Spurs midfield which is designed just for that very reason. Leeds are just a very good Premier League side and you have to give credit to their recruitment team in the summer for bringing ready-made players in like Calvert-Lewin, Bijol and Okafor who have all delivered for Leeds this season to keep them in the Premier League. Obviously most of the credit has to go to Daniel Farke who would almost definitely be without a job if he hadn’t changed his system to a back 3 earlier on in the season, can Leeds try and push for a European spot next season?
Spurs need to have an unbelievable transfer window in the summer. This is only if they stay up which I think they will as I don’t think West Ham will beat Newcastle on Sunday but watching the game today I can’t help but think Spurs are going to need a ridiculous amount of players in the summer, that attack today was horrendous and has been all season even when a lot of the players are fit under Thomas Frank. I think they need two top quality attackers, two midfielders who are good on the ball, a centre-back if Romero or Van de Ven leaves and then maybe a goalkeeper if De Zerbi doesn’t fancy Kinsky long-term. All this is needed along with needing a big clear-out of players like Richarlison, Bissouma, Vicario etc who all will probably be leaving in the summer, if De Zerbi is going to be successful at Spurs he’s going to have to be backed in the summer or as we all know he’ll have no problem leaving if he thinks he isn’t being supported. Obviously none of this matters if they go down but I’m expecting almost a completely new team by August if Spurs do stay up, are the Spurs board capable of such a summer? I’m not so sure.
So, where does this leave the relegation battle? The point for Spurs puts them two clear of West Ham with two games to go so it’s still all to play for, obviously the win would have all but confirmed their safety but West Ham are still in touching distance even after losing yesterday. West Ham play first away at Newcastle on Sunday with a win putting huge pressure on Spurs who travel to Stamford Bridge on the Tuesday, the last game for Spurs is against Everton at home whilst West Ham host Leeds on the last day of the season which is ultimately what it will probably come down to. The hope for Spurs is that Newcastle do them a favour on Sunday and then they can confirm their safety at Chelsea on the Tuesday, on the flip side a win for West Ham puts all the pressure on Spurs on the Tuesday with a loss meaning if West Ham beat Leeds on the last day they are relegated. The pressure on both teams going into these last two games is massive but I just can’t see West Ham beating Newcastle on Sunday, I suppose we’ll have to wait and see what happens. I’ll have it covered here on 5ThingsFootball.