Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur were left frustrated after Jamie Vardy’s second-half equaliser earned Leicester City a 1-1 draw on Monday at the King Power Stadium. Postecoglou described Tottenham’s performance as "wasteful," acknowledging that his team lost their composure after Leicester’s equaliser.
Tottenham dominated the first half but were unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities. Pedro Porro scored the opening goal for Tottenham in the 29th minute with a header from James Maddison’s cross. Despite their strong start, Tottenham failed to convert additional chances, including efforts from Rodrigo Bentancur and Brennan Johnson.
Vardy, making a surprise appearance after a pre-season injury, scored Leicester’s equaliser in the 57th minute with a header from Abdul Fatawu’s cross. The goal highlighted Tottenham's defensive vulnerabilities, as Leicester capitalized on poor defending to secure a draw.
Postecoglou noted that Tottenham’s inability to score despite dominating the match was a major disappointment. "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," he said. He emphasized the need for better finishing and decision-making, reflecting on issues from the previous season.
Leicester City, newly promoted from the Championship, showed resilience in their first Premier League match of the season. New manager Steve Cooper praised the team’s performance, despite potential points deductions for financial rule breaches. Vardy, reflecting on his fitness and the match, stated, "I was as fit as a fiddle until I got to about 65 minutes if I'm honest!"
Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke, making his debut after a move from Bournemouth, missed several opportunities and was criticized for his performance. Tottenham’s wastefulness continued as they failed to secure a win despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances.
The match ended with Tottenham’s Richarlison missing a close-range header and Boubakary Soumare’s header being saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in stoppage time. Bentancur, who required treatment for a potential concussion after an injury, was stretchered off the field.
Overall, Tottenham’s lack of clinical finishing and Leicester’s opportunistic equaliser ensured that both teams shared the points.
