Tottenham Hotspur started the new Premier League season just like they ended the previous campaign, with Michael Owen surprised by what he saw.
Ange Postecoglou’s side have showcased great attacking threat under his stewardship, but they have struggled to kill teams off and then they have shot themselves in the foot from a defensive aspect.
That was in full flow as Tottenham recorded a 1-1 draw at Leicester City on Monday night at the King Power Stadium.
There was a lot of buzz around the team leading up to the game, Dominic Solanke was making his Tottenham debut and they made a very quick start.
The London club were all over the newly-promoted team, with Pedro Porro heading home in the first half, but then everything changed in the second period.
Tottenham didn’t finish off their chances and the Foxes were still in it, with Jamie Vardy coming back to haunt a team he famously beat to the Premier League title once upon a time.
Tottenham’s defending was nowhere to be seen because they left Vardy with all the space in the world at the back post and he headed home to the joy of the home supporters.
The man who came under fire by Michael Owen was Cristian Romero and his ‘very strange’ actions leading up to the goal.
The former striker questioned why Romero walked past Vardy, left him on his own and then allowed him to score, as he told Premier League Productions (19/08/24 at 10:10 pm).
Cristian Romero v Jamie Vardy
“He’s in a position there at the back post, he hardly moved and actually Romero makes it easy for him,” said Owen. “Romero here, we highlighted him, he is by Vardy and then runs past him.
“He doesn’t do much for the goal. He actually stays in one position. He doesn’t need to because of the strange happenings from Romero. He runs past Vardy and it’s very strange.”
Tottenham Hotspur’s fight for Champions League football
The London club were beaten to fourth spot by Aston Villa last season, but they weren’t playing in Europe, whilst Unai Emery’s men were in the Conference League.
That has changed now because Spurs have Europa League football to deal with and it’s all about how they cope with those extra fixtures.
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Gary Neville changed his mind on who will finish fourth between Tottenham and Chelsea, with the right-back highlighting how Postecoglou doesn’t have the strength in depth.
Tottenham secured the transfer of Archie Gray from Leeds United this summer and he was one of several young players to come off the bench at the King Power Stadium.
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