Tel goes from hero to villain

Mathys Tel went from hero to villain as Tottenham missed the possibility to take an enormous step in the direction of Premier League survival as they have been held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United.

Following West Ham’s controversial 1-0 defeat to leaders Arsenal on Sunday, Spurs had the chance to go 4 factors away from the Hammers with a victory over a Leeds aspect already positive of their standing within the high flight.

And it appeared as if Tottenham would put probably decisive daylight between themselves and their London rivals when Tel opened the scoring with an outstanding end 5 minutes into the second half.

However an especially ill-advised piece of defending from Tel gifted Leeds the equaliser and West Ham a lifeline within the battle to keep away from the drop.

Tel inadvertently caught Ethan Ampadu within the head along with his boot whereas making an attempt to clear with an overhead kick and, after a VAR evaluate, Dominic Calvert-Lewin thrashed residence a penalty which means Spurs’ edge over West Ham is barely two factors.

Tottenham do have a substantial purpose distinction benefit over West Ham, however their failure to take all three factors right here leaves Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect with the chance to leapfrog them with a win over Newcastle United on Sunday. Roberto De Zerbi’s males don’t play once more till every week on Tuesday, once they go to Chelsea.

Tottenham make most of first-half let-off

Tottenham made a gradual begin and have been grateful to Antonin Kinsky for making an outstanding save to forestall a Joe Rodon header from discovering the bottom-right nook.

Spurs had the higher of the first-half proceedings thereafter, Joao Palhinha losing the very best of their probabilities as he fired over from shut vary after bursting into the field and dispossessing Ao Tanaka.

Tottenham would have conceded a penalty earlier than half-time after Future Udogie pulled down Calvert-Lewin, however the hosts have been saved by the very fact the Leeds striker had strayed offside by a really tight margin.

And 5 minutes into the second half Spurs took benefit of that let-off, Tel controlling brilliantly after Leeds solely half cleared a nook after which discovering the far nook in gorgeous style.

Richarlison spurned an opportunity to make it 2-0 when he volleyed over after wonderful work from Randal Kolo Muani, and Spurs could be punished for his profligacy.

Kinsky saves level after Tel turns villain

Tel’s weird decision-making left Ampadu in a heap within the space, and Calvert-Lewin was ruthless in changing after Jarred Gillett was directed to seek the advice of his pitchside monitor.

A roar erupted across the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when 13 minutes of damage time have been introduced, however it was Leeds who went closest to taking all three factors in that point.

Certainly, extra heroics from Kinsky have been required as he produced a outstanding reflex save to tip Sean Longstaff’s drive onto the underside of the crossbar, with Jaka Bijol then losing a chance to finish the turnaround moments later.

After a weekend outlined by VAR controversy, Spurs have been clamouring for a penalty after the returning James Maddison went down underneath the problem of Lukas Nmecha. Nonetheless, VAR cleared the incident, with replays suggesting Nmecha received a faint contact on the ball.

That can have brought on many sighs of reduction in East London, with the main target now switching to Tyneside as West Ham look to show a compelling battle for survival again of their favour.