Ange Postecoglou Criticizes Tottenham's Missed Opportunities in 1-1 Draw with Leicester

London - Ange Postecoglou acknowledged that Tottenham Hotspur's lack of efficiency led to a loss of composure, allowing Jamie Vardy's second-half equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw for Leicester City in the English Premier League on August 19th.

Newly-promoted Leicester survived a series of costly Spurs misses either side of Pedro Porro’s first-half opener for the visitors at the King Power Stadium.

Vardy then made Tottenham pay for their erratic finishing with a typically predatory header in the 57th minute, capping his surprise appearance just days after he had been ruled out by Steve Cooper after suffering a pre-season injury.

The 37-year-old has now scored nine Premier League goals in 17 appearances against Spurs, who trudged off wondering how they had failed to demolish the Foxes during their dominant first-half display.

“Disappointing night for us. First half excellent and controlled the game but wasteful in front of goal. Once Leicester scored, the crowd lifted and we lost our composure,” Postecoglou lamented.

“It was an issue we had last year as well. We need to keep working hard and be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. At times we made poor decisions.

“The dominance is great but if you don’t score it is meaningless. We have to be stronger in our mindset in the front third. To be that wasteful is disappointing. We just weren’t clinical.”

Tottenham finished fifth in Postecoglou’s first season following a campaign in which the Australian’s commitment to all-out attack was eventually exposed at the cost of Champions League qualification.

Once again, they were hampered by poor finishing and unfocused defending. The team had 15 attempts on goal, seven on target but only one goal at the end of the day.

Dominic Solanke was especially culpable on the striker’s debut after moving from Bournemouth for a fee that could rise to £65 million (S$110 million).

It was a defender, Porro, who opened accounts for Tottenham in the 29th minute.

James Maddison floated a pin-point cross into the Leicester area, where the right-back timed his run perfectly to flick his header into the far corner from 12 yards.

But Tottenham’s wastefulness came back to haunt them near the hour mark as Leicester struck from their first effort on target. Unhinged far too easily, Spurs defenders stood statuesque as Vardy was left unmarked in the six-yard box to head in Abdul Fatawu’s cross.

It was exactly the kind of sloppy goal that bedevilled Tottenham during their swoon in the closing weeks of last season.

Vardy threatened to take advantage of more disjointed defending, surging onto Bobby Decordova-Reid’s pass but failing to find the accuracy required to beat goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Another Spurs striker, Richarlison, missed a golden opening to win it at the death and Postecoglou’s men had to settle for one point in a match they really should have taken all three from.

Their evening was also soured when midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was carried off on a stretcher after an eight-minute stoppage in the second half, following a nasty collision.

The Uruguayan was given oxygen as he was surrounded by medical staff but was later reported to be recovering.

For Leicester, the result was a positive for the team back in the Premier League after winning the Championship to end their one-year absence.

Amid reports the Foxes could face a points deductions for breaking financial rules, new boss Cooper needs to hit the ground running if they are to avoid relegation and this gritty display was an encouraging start – thanks to Vardy.

“I was as fit as a fiddle until I got to about 65 minutes if I’m honest!” the striker said.

“I see age as just a number. As long as I keep looking after myself and my legs keep feeling great, then I will carry on for as long as is physically possible.

“I wouldn’t say I am doing anything differently playing-wise. Probably adapted a bit by dropping in but I think the main thing is I am looking after myself recovery-wise to the maximum.” AFP,