Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Sergio Reguilon scored to secure Antonio Conte his first win, as Tottenham battled hard against Leeds United.
Leeds United looked inspired in the first half as they went into the break with a narrow lead courtesy of a strike by Daniel James. The visitors took control right from the start, pinning Tottenham back into their area. Without being aggressive or threatening, Marcelo Bielsa had a foothold in the game.
Spurs came out with a more aggressive mentality in the second half and seized control of proceedings. The loss of momentum and control cost Leeds dearly. Tottenham began threatening Illan Meslier’s goal, and after hitting a few shots on the post, they finally had the breakthrough.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg took up the responsibility and finished a good move from the edge of the box. The goal was imperative for Tottenham to kink up a gear and then pressure Leeds into their area. As a glimpse of what is to come, Sergio Reguilon scored a very instinctive goal to give Tottenham a narrow lead and complete the comeback.
The Spanish full-back ran forward as Eric Dier’s free-kick deflected off Pascal Struijk and fell invitingly for Reguilon to tap into the net. Contrary to social media suggestions that this was a classic Conte full-back goal, it was more intuitive than anything. Here’s how the players fared as Tottenham defeated Leeds United in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris: 7/10
Lloris was instrumental in keeping the scoreline tight. Leeds had some decent efforts, which the Tottenham captain saved, looking comfortable controlling his area, particularly in the second half.
Japhet Tanganga: 6.5/10
Tanganga slotted in well on the right side of the back three and was sound defensively after being truly tested by the Leeds attackers and Harrison in particular in the first period. However, when he was on the ball, he never seemed to be comfortable on it.
Eric Dier: 7/10
Dier has to improve his game massively, despite a promising performance against Leeds. Although he was a liability in possession, his free-kick led to the winning goal. Fortunately, it did not go out of play and came in invitingly for Sergio Reguilon to tap in.
Ben Davies: 5/10
A relatively poor performance from the experienced defender. Davies looked out of place right from the start. Conte was seen screaming at him on several occasions to get forward from his position.
Emerson Royal: 5/10
Emerson has to understand Conte’s ideas to bring the team to life on the right flank. In this game, he was poor and was easily beaten by Jack Harrison for the opener. In the attack, he did get into a promising position but was never found by a teammate.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 6/10
The goal might have forced us to give him a higher rating than he deserved. There was no intensity in Hojbjerg’s game as the entire midfield looked weak. Leeds players got the better of him even with minimal pressure. The goal might give him confidence and further ideas to become a key part of Conte’s plans.
A positive start to the Conte era for Hojbjerg. Need to build on this and get a good run of form.
— COYS.com (@COYS_com) November 21, 2021
Harry Winks: 6/10
It was a surprising decision to see Winks named among the starters, although he did well despite a shaky start to the game. Did well as the match progressed, and he might have put himself in Conte’s plans for the season.
Sergio Reguilon: 6/10
In Conte’s system, Reguilon might play an important role, although he will have to adapt to the manager’s ideas better. His intensity by scoring the goal might boost his confidence and he should play a key role this season. It was also his first-ever strike for Tottenham after playing 50 times.
Lucas Moura: 4.5/10
It is baffling how many times the Brazilian tries to do the same thing and fails. Moura could not penetrate the Leeds defence despite making numerous attempts to pass or dribble his way out. Somehow he got himself an assist, which in itself is a surprise given his performance.
Harry Kane: 5/10
Barring a few attempts, there was nothing Kane could offer in the final third. The problem could have been his habit of dropping deep to collect the ball, which impacts his contributions further up the pitch. His recent shot creation problem has grown into the team.
Four blanks in a row for both Kane and Son ?
Are you keeping or selling the Spurs attackers?#FPL #TOTLEE pic.twitter.com/vFnmvglKsD
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) November 21, 2021
Son Heung-min: 6/10
Son was very active in the final third and looked like the only player with an intent to make something up the pitch. There was no questioning his intentions, as most chances consistently came from the South Korean.
SUBSTITUTES
Davinson Sanchez: 6.5/10
Conte bringing in Sanchez proved useful, as the Colombian was very good in aerial duels and recovery pace. The feeling was that he was on the bench due to his travels during the international break.
Ryan Sessegnon: 5/10
Sessegnon has become a forgotten player since joining Spurs. However, under Conte, he could be an interesting option from left wing-back and could provide competition to Reguilon during the season.
Dele Alli: N/A
Alli came in very late in the game to impact or get a rating.
Leeds United
Illan Meslier: 4/10
Even with a 6’5 frame, Meslier looked short inside his box and nervy when collecting crosses. He should have done better to keep out each of Tottenham’s goals, which in fact, could have been saved with a bit more effort.
Same old story from Leeds isn’t it, run their socks off for the first half and then fatigue badly in the second, bringing the quality down with it. Must drive their fans mad.
Always thought Meslier is really overrated too.
— Next Generation Arsenal ?⚪️ (@scoutingindoors) November 21, 2021
Diego Llorente: 4/10
There were no problems with any of the defenders in the first period. In the second half, though, Llorente gave away possession many times, putting his team under pressure. Luckily for him, the damage was not too much for his side.
Kalvin Phillips: 6/10
A smart move in the first half to play Phillips in central defence gave Leeds a great level of control. However, when he ventured into midfield in the second period, Spurs could seize the game as he looked a bit uncomfortable there.
Liam Cooper: 6/10
Cooper led the backline with his experience, sniffing out some dangerous balls. He was imperious in keeping Kane and Moura quiet throughout the evening.
Pascal Struijk: 5/10
A surprise starter at left-back, considering Junior Firpo was available. Yet, he was decent in the first half, which is not his usual position. However, when Struijk moved centrally, he looked weak as Spurs easily turned him.
Stuart Dallas: 5/10
Dallas continues to be an outlet from whichever position he plays in and proved a good fit in the first period. He faded away in the second half, as Leeds were pinned back for large periods rendering his effect to the bare minimum.
Adam Forshaw: 7/10
Forshaw was one of Leeds’s best players on the evening. A battling performance from the midfielder, who got stuck in and seized control of the area. It is a shame his team could not win the game.
Mateusz Klich: 5/10
A gritty performance from Klich. He should have had a better desire to bring in the sense of control in midfield. There was no blueprint for operating in the area in the second half, as his team was pinned back more often than they would have liked.
Jack Harrison: 6/10
A brilliant outlet on the left side, as he kept the Tottenham defence busy. After terrific work off Emerson Royal, he pinged in a pinpoint cross for James to score.
Joe Gerhardt: 7/10
If Gerhardt had a physical strike partner, the scoreline might have looked completely different. The young striker proved a point to Marcelo Bielsa, who should now look to integrating him rather than discarding him after Patrick Bamford returns.
Daniel James: 7/10
Daniel James has had 15 shots for Leeds United in the Premier League:
◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎◎⚽️
Finally off the mark. ? pic.twitter.com/5ZrVxs5RuV
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 21, 2021
James looked comfortable slotting on the wing after recent games leading the line. James was a menace for Reguilon and Davies, making dangerous runs into the box, particularly in the first period. Got a well-deserved goal, and it is a shame Leeds could not win after asserting so much control on the game.
SUBSTITUTES
Junior Firpo: 4/10
Junior Firpo was introduced to bring some attacking impetus into the side as Leeds searched for an equaliser. However, Moura and Kane started getting the better of him, turning the game on its head.
Tyler Roberts: 4/10
He slotted in without any meaningful impact.
Stuart McKinstry: N/A
He did not have enough time for an impact or rating.
