Bentancur brace seals nervy win for Spurs

A DRAMATIC late double from Rodrigo Bentancur fired Tottenham to a thrilling 4-3 victory over Leeds to help them finish the first half of the Premier League season with a much-needed win.

The visitors had gone ahead three times in London, but tasted defeat after Uruguayan midfielder Bentancur levelled in the 81st minute before grabbing what proved to be the winner two minutes later.

It meant Rodrigo’s impressive double and Crysencio Summerville’s opener for Leeds counted for little after Spurs mounted several fightbacks to end a tough period with three points.

Recent home league defeats to Newcastle and Liverpool, in addition to their Carabao Cup exit at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, had contributed towards boss Antonio Conte reiterating the need for patience and time.

Injuries had played a big part in their mixed form during a period where they played 13 matches in 43 days, but they concluded it with victory in a seven-goal thriller after talisman Harry Kane netted and Illan Meslier scored an unfortunate own goal.

Conte was boosted by attackers Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison being able to start together for the first time since September 17.

The Italian manager heaped praise on Kane for the important role he played in ensuring Tottenham finished the first half of the season in the Premier League top four and revealed he will be backing the England captain to go all the way in Qatar.

World Cup-bound Kane struck his 13th goal of the campaign to help Spurs edge a seven-goal thriller which saw them return to winning ways on home turf for the first time since October 15.

All eyes were on Kane ahead of kick-off given this was his 22nd consecutive start of the campaign and Conte had revealed he was ‘very, very tired’ during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup exit at Nottingham Forest, but the hitman played the full 90 minutes.

Conte said: ‘I think in this period, especially the last 13 games,

Harry played a really important role.

‘If we finish this period in the top four and to have qualification for the next round of the Champions League, we have to place a lot on Harry because in this period we had many injuries but injuries up front.

‘We lost (Dejan) Kulusevski and he only played this game. Then we lost Richarlison and without Lucas Moura from the start was difficult. Sonny also struggled a bit at the start of the season. Harry deserves great praise.

‘He is always an important player, but in this period I think a lot of weight was on his shoulders and he played in a fantastic way.

‘ Now he is arriving to play the World Cup with great enthusiasm, in a good physical condition and in my opinion he is mentally stronger than before. I see a player that is ready.’