Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Hojbjerg 58’, Reguilon 69’)
Leeds United 1 (James 44’)
Spurs: Lloris (GK) (c), Reguilon (Sessengon 79’), Hojbjerg, Son, Winks, Kane, Emerson, Dier, Tanganga (Sanchez 68’), Moura (Alli 88’), Davies. Subs not used: Gollini (GK), Doherty, Gil, Rodon, Bergwijn, Ndombele.
Leeds: Meslier (GK), Forshaw (Roberts 72’), Cooper (c), Llorente, Dallas, James, Struijk, Harrison, Phillips, Gelhardt (McKinstry 87’), Klich (Firpo 58’). Subs not used: Klaesson (GK), Cresswell, Drameh, Greenwood, McCarron, Jenkins.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side lost to Tottenham Hotspur away from home in this Premier League encounter. After Dan James had put the Whites into the lead at the end of the first half, the hosts turned the game around in the second to claim the three points.
Making his first Premier League start, Joe Gelhardt raced forward inside the opening minute and was fouled. That presented Leeds with the first chance on goal of the match, with Kalvin Phillips seeing his free-kick well saved by Hugo Lloris in the Spurs net.
The Whites had controlled much of the opening to the game, with large spells of possession throughout. Spurs had their first effort on target when clever work from Harry Kane helped to win a corner.
From Heung-Min Son’s set-play, Sergio Reguilon connected with a volley on goal which was blocked well by Kalvin Phillips, then cleared away by Adam Forshaw.
Despite remaining goalless for the first 44 minutes, the first half of football in North London had been an entertaining and battling clash throughout. Both teams continued to attack at pace and cause problems to one another, but were struggling to test either goalkeeper.
One moment that was agonisingly close before the interval was from Forshaw. The midfielder picked up possession 30-yards out and struck a powerful effort, which flew just wide of the post with Lloris diving at full-stretch.
The breakthrough did arrive before the whistle though, and in superb fashion. Jack Harrison turned and tricked his way down the wing and played in a stunning cross for James to finish at the back post to put Leeds ahead at the break.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Leeds United
Tottenham started on the front foot at the beginning of the second half, as Kane struck the post via the fingertips of Illan Meslier. Responding quickly to danger, Leeds broke forward and James forced Lloris into a good save.
The quick-tempo opening continued inside the opening five minutes, with the hosts hitting the woodwork again. This time it was Son who caused the issue, seeing his effort deflect off Diego Llorente onto the crossbar before being cleared.
After causing plenty of problems in the first half, Gelhardt continued to threaten the defence of the home side. He forced Lloris into two good saves, from either side of the penalty area.
In the 58th minute, Spurs levelled the clash. Lucas Moura found space in the area to control, turn and play the ball back for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to finish first time to even the scoreline up.
Just 11 minutes later, the hosts then went into the lead. Eric Dier’s free-kick deflected off the Leeds United wall, wrong-footing Meslier and onto the post, then rebounding straight to Reguilon who had the simple task of slotting it in to put Spurs ahead in the match.
The Whites had made all three changes as they looked to try and get something from the game. Junior Firpo returned from an injury lay-off, whilst Tyler Roberts and a Premier League debut for Stuart McKinstry were also introduced from the bench.
Despite late efforts from James as he looked score once again, Lloris and the Tottenham defence stood firm to deny everything that Leeds were throwing at them, to hold on for the three points.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Leeds United
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Attendance: 58,989
Referee: Andre Marriner
Booked: Gelhardt, Forshaw, Cooper, Phillips (Leeds) Emerson (Spurs)