Tottenham Hotspur recorded a fourth consecutive victory on Boxing Day by winning ugly at Leicester City.
Goals from Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen sealed a 2-1 triumph for Spurs, but Leicester, who briefly drew level through Leonardo Ulloa, were the much better side.
The Foxes struck the woodwork three times and also forced Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris into a trio of fine saves.
It wasn’t pretty, but the result will delight Mauricio Pochettino, who sees his side rise to sixth in the Premier League table.
Here’s how Pochettino’s men rated at the King Power Stadium:
SEE ALSO:
(Image) Why!? Lionel Messi Taints Legendary Left Leg With Awful Tattoo.
WOW! Top 20 Worst Haircuts In Football Ever.
Stability Not Squad Size – That’s Why Chelsea Will Win The Premier League.
GK: Hugo Lloris – 8/10
The Spurs stopper was solid as ever on his 28th birthday, pulling off a pretty spectacular save to keep out an equally spectacular effort from Leonardo Ulloa. The Frenchman also did well to deny Riyad Mahrez, who tested him with a drilled shot, and Jeffrey Schlupp, who had him at full stretch.
RB: Kyle Walker – 6/10
Was effectively a winger for the first quarter of the game, as Spurs dominated. However, he was very much a defender for the rest of the match, with Leicester piling forward. Although he was booked for a clumsy foul on Schlupp, Walker was pretty solid at the back.
LB: Danny Rose – 7/10
Energetic Rose was one of Tottenham’s most dangerous players going forward.
CB: Federico Fazio – 6/10
The slow Argentine did OK today. His positioning was generally good and his lack of pace was rarely exposed because he was given plenty of protection from the two Spurs midfielders in front of him.
CB: Jan Vertonghen – 5/10
Picked up a clearcut yellow card for a rash tackle on Jamie Vardy late on. Vertonghen’s performance in general was pretty rash.
CM: Benjamin Stambouli – 7/10
Making his first ever Premier League start, Stambouli did not look fazed at all. In fact, he was rather impressive during the first half, which made Pochettino’s decision to sub him at the break a bit odd.
CM: Nabil Bentaleb – 6/10
Playing alongside Stambouli, Bentaleb was afforded much more attacking freedom than usual in the first half. He was lively, but his lack of attacking composure was exposed when he ran clean through on goal from the halfway line, only to fail to get a shot away. The Algerian did not cover himself in glory in the build-up to Leicester’s equaliser – he was beaten way too easily by Mahrez, who got to the byline to make the assist.
AM: Erik Lamela – 6/10
Impressed in flashes, but did not do enough to influence the game as an attacker. He did work hard though, and his tracking back should be applauded.
AM: Christian Eriksen – 6.5/10
Anonymous for most of the game, but his free kick, which ultimately won the match, was top class.
AM: Nacer Chadli – 5.5/10
Will be credited with an assist for Kane’s early opener, but, in truth, his cross was pretty poor. With Spurs chasing a winner, Chadli was taken off on 63 minutes to make way for Roberto Soldado.
ST: Harry Kane – 7/10
Continued his fine run of scoring form, netting his fourth goal in four games with a well-taken finish from close range in the opening moments of the match. Kane had a couple of other very good chances and he may be disappointed to have only scored one today.
Subs:
Ryan Mason – 5.5/10
Did not look fully fit.
Roberto Soldado – 5/10
Did a nice flick-on to set up a counter-attack, but that was about his only positive contribution. His passing was not up to scratch.
Paulinho – 6.5/10
Was only on the pitch for little under 10 minutes, but his touch and distribution were excellent. His calmness in possession was just what Tottenham needed with Leicester pushing desperately for a second leveller.