CONTE BACK FOR PAIN GAME
HIS recent gall bladder surgery was probably less painful for Antonio Conte than this, as the Tottenham boss returned to the dug-out. His side were sloppy and Leicester, with Nampalys Mendy outstanding, took full advantage.
One week ago Spurs dished up a defensive masterclass to beat champions Manchester City, but after going ahead here they collapsed as the Foxes ran riot.
Tottenham assistant Cristian Stellini said: “Something changed after we scored the first goal.we turned off – and you have to be consistent for all of the game.
“I don’t have an explanation why because if you know what has happened, you can change it.
“Last season after we beat Manchester City we lost against Burnley and being consistent is a long process.
“It’s about desire, about wanting to play this game, about recovering the energy mentally.
“Everyone has to get themselves up and we have to be disappointed with ourselves – everyone.’’
Tottenham went ahead when home debutantvictor Kristiansen scuffed a clearance to Rodrigo Bentancur, and the Uruguayan couldn’t miss.
Then Mendy stepped forward to smash home a belter after James Maddison’s corner was cleared to him. It was the Senegalese midfielder’s first goal for Leicester, six-and-a-half years and 106 games after joining them.
“It was only the second of his career and it’s highly likely to be the best one he’s ever scored,” said boss Brendan Rodgers.
Leicester took the lead when Wout Faes stepped in front of Harry Kane to block Ben Davies’ pass.the ball ricocheted to Kelechi Iheanacho who tied Eric Dier up in knots before feeding Maddison to score. In added time at the end of the half Iheanacho again fooled Dier, made his way into the area and scored Leicester’s third.
After the interval Harvey Barnes saw one effort disallowed for offside by the flimsiest of margins but he grabbed reward for his efforts after a lovely sweeping move ended with him side-footing the fourth.
The body language of Conte’s players leaving the field spoke volumes.
It’s AC Milan next and without Hugo Lloris,yves Bissouma and with Pierre-emile Hojbjerg suspended, it’s looking like a tall order. Bentancur’s withdrawal was through injury, too.
None of that mattered to Rodgers who was understandably delighted. He said: “It was a brilliant performance by the players – really brave.
“They were aggressive, strong and fluent when we had the ball. We showed great energy against a Champions League team.”
LEICESTER: Ward 6, Castagne 6, Souttar 7, Faes 7, Kristiansen 6, Mendy 9, (Ndidi 68, 6) Dewsbury-hall 7; Tete 6, (Praet 77) Maddison 8, (Pereira 88) Barnes 7, Iheanacho 8 (Vardy 77).
Forster 4, Tanganga 3, (Sanchez 75, 5) Dier 3,
Davies 4; Porro 4, (Royal 75, 5) Hojbjerg 5, Bentancur 6, (Sarr 65, 5) Perisic 5, (Richarlison 75, 5) Son 5, Kulusevski 5, (Danjuma 79) Kane 5. MAN OF THE MATCH: NAMPALYS MENDY – Super all-round performance topped by a stunning goal.
M Salisbury