Leicester City 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
So, this is how VAR can affect a football match.
In fact, it could soon be considered a football revolution if it affects many games in the way it did this lunchtime kick-off at the King Power Stadium.
Today it added yet another level of intensity into what’s already developed into quite a rivalry.
An unusual Premier League rivalry and one that wouldn’t automatically jump out at SBOBET fans.
Highlights of the game
Yes, Leicester and Spurs have had some ding-dongs in league and cup over the years, but it all came to a head three years ago.
It was in 2016 when Leicester City wrote the ultimate Premier League 2019 news story with the remarkable triumph which has never been matched before or since.
That it was Spurs, who eventually finished third, that they saw off to claim the top prize rankled with many of the White Hart Lane faithful and there’s been an added spice to their encounters ever since.
VAR has just added a shedload more.
There were many talking points even before kick-off.
Honourable displays at Chelsea and Manchester United so far this season had still only yielded one point for Leicester, so they must have seen the visit of Tottenham as an opportunity to prove their top-six credentials.
Spurs, meanwhile, had yet to win away this season, so this would be the perfect way to respond to the disappointment of giving up a two-goal lead at Olympiakos in the Champions League in midweek.
So the scene was set for a lunchtime powder keg – and it didn’t disappoint.
The first talking point of the day arrived just after the quarter-hour mark.
A long-range strike by Youri Tielemans was spilt by stand-in goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, and as the ball bobbled around, Wilfred Ndidi poked it home.
Yet as home players wheeled away in celebration, VAR correctly disallowed the strike for offside.
When Danny Rose then appeared to be brought down in the box by Jonny Evans, the home side breathed a sigh of relief when no spot-kick was forthcoming.
However, the hosts were behind shortly afterwards.
Harry Kane — who else — ran onto a backheel from Son Heung-min and, despite holding off the attentions of Caglar Soyuncu, managed to also touch the ball past Evans while off-balance and scooped it over the onrushing Kasper Schmeichel.
If the Premier League 2019 betting odds had backed a player to score the first goal, it would have been Kane. It was a world-class finish in front of England boss Gareth Southgate and his 14th goal in just nine appearances against the Foxes.
While Kane has proven to be Leicester’s bogeyman, Son has also been excellent in both of Spurs’ victories over the Foxes last season.
It’s no coincidence that Tottenham’s return to form last weekend corresponded with Son Heung-min putting in his sharpest performance of the season so far.
It was first blood to Spurs as they aimed to win four consecutive top-flight matches against the East Midlanders for the first time.
Into the second half, Gazzaniga was alert to stop a Jamie Vardy shot before Son’s effort was inches wide at the other end. The next goal was crucial.
It looked like it had gone to the visitors after 64 minutes. Tanguy Ndombele’s through ball played in Son and, while he was tackled well by Caglar Soyuncu, the ball came out to Serge Aurier, who drilled it in via a slight deflection.
To much surprise, VAR ruled that Son had been a millimetre offside.
Spurs were stunned and Leicester took full advantage. Harvey Barnes slipped in Vardy, whose drilled ball across the danger zone fell to Ricardo Pereira to coolly slot in an equaliser.
Leicester were elated, Spurs deflated – and rightly so.
Trusting the technology or spoiling the match? That debate will continue, but there was little doubt the momentum was with the home team.
There were five minutes left on the clock when James Maddison won it for the hosts and ended a frustrating personal record.
The midfielder had attempted the most shots without scoring in the Premier League this season until today, last finding the net against Huddersfield in April.
But he put that right as substitute Hamza Choudhury laid off the ball and the England man shifted onto his right foot before firing home emphatically.
Despite currently being regarded as the best of the rest behind Liverpool and Manchester City, Spurs seem a gear or two short from reaching their levels of the previous campaign right now – although this was a cruel defeat.
Leicester are upwardly mobile.
So is the VAR debate, which seems about to reach another level.
Key statistics
Leicester have scored 46 Premier League goals versus Tottenham, more than any other side, while their tally of 11 wins is a club-high.
Leicester have lost only one of their nine Premier League home matches since Claude Puel was sacked as manager (won six, drawn two, lost one).
Brendan Rodgers has won each of his last six Premier League matches as a manager against Tottenham; he won five and lost one of six games while Liverpool boss.
Spurs are winless in their last nine Premier League away games (drawn two, lost seven), their worst run since a 10-game streak in 2006. They won 11 of their opening 13 league matches on the road last season.
Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 away league games.
This was Mauricio Pochettino’s 250th Premier League match as a manager – the Argentine is the first non-European to reach this landmark.
Kane has scored 14 goals in 13 games in all competitions versus Leicester (including one goal while on loan at Millwall), more than any other side.
What’s next?
It’s the League Cup next for Leicester, who beat Newcastle on penalties in the last round and now face a trip to Luton. Spurs also visit lower league opposition as they meet Colchester.
Next weekend in the Premier League, Spurs host Southampton before Leicester entertain Newcastle the following day.
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