Leicester stun struggling Spurs, Brentford sink Palace

Postecoglou's troubled team blew the lead on home turf as they crumbled to a sixth defeat in their last seven league games. With only one win in their last 11 top-flight matches, Tottenham are languishing in 15th place, just eight points above the bottom three. It was another woeful result for the beleaguered Postecoglou, who has faced mounting calls for his dismissal throughout a turbulent second season in charge.

Tottenham are dangerously close to being sucked into the relegation battle and trips to Brentford and Aston Villa in their next two league games - either side of a League Cup semi-final second-leg clash with Liverpool - could decide the Australian's fate. Tottenham hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg against Liverpool and a Wembley appearance could buy Postecoglou time to get his team back on track.

With 14 players absent for Thursday's Europa League win at Hoffenheim, Tottenham's injury crisis has led to criticism of Postecoglou's tactics and the level of intensity in training. The former Celtic boss accepts the blame for the rash of injuries, but his claims that Tottenham remain on the right path under his leadership look more questionable with each woeful result that edges him closer to the axe.

While Postecoglou fights to save his job, Leicester manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy can breathe a little easier over his own future. Van Nistelrooy, who replaced Steve Cooper in December, had presided over seven successive league defeats before their much-needed success against Tottenham. Leicester are now one place and one point above the relegation zone.

A protest banner against Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was unveiled by fans before kick-off with the slogan "24 years, 16 managers, 1 trophy - time for change". Pedro Porro tried to lift the mood on a filthy, rain-lashed afternoon in north London as his stinging strike was parried to safety by Leicester keeper Jakub Stolarczyk.

 

January 26, 2025

'Levy out' chants

In the 33rd minute, Porro whipped a pin-point cross into the Leicester area and Richarlison rose to head home from close range for just his third goal this season. But Leicester equalised less than 60 seconds after half-time when Bobby De Cordova-Reid's cross was mishandled by Antonin Kinsky, ricocheting off Jamie Vardy's shin as it trickled into the net.

Vardy marked the goal in cheeky fashion by mimicking Tottenham star James Maddison's dart-throwing celebration. Just four minutes later, Morocco forward Bilal El Khannouss took possession in the Tottenham half and advanced unchecked by Postecoglou's sloppy defence before curling a fine finish past Kinsky. With chants of "We want Levy out" growing more audible by the second, Postecoglou's furious expression told the story of Tottenham's plight.

Postecoglou's decision to take off Richarlison was jeered by Tottenham fans, whose patience is wearing thin. Brentford benefitted from a penalty controversy to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park. Thomas Frank's team earned a 66th-minute penalty when Marc Guehi made a hash of clearing and the panicked Maxence Lacroix fouled Nathan Collins.

Bryan Mbeumo's spot-kick hit the post, but Palace's reprieve was short-lived as VAR ruled Guehi had encroached before the shot. The Brentford forward gratefully accepted his second chance by sending Palace keeper Dean Henderson the wrong way for his 14th goal this season. Kevin Schade netted in the 80th minute for Brentford, meeting Mikkel Damsgaard's cross with a thumping header.

Palace winger Romain Esse came off the bench to score with his first touch on his debut following his move from Millwall, but the 85th-minute goal came too late to save the hosts. Brentford's second win in their past 10 matches in all competitions brought an end to Palace's five-game unbeaten run in the top-flight. Later on Sunday, troubled Manchester United travel to Fulham, while Aston Villa host West Ham.

 

January 26, 2025