Tottenham Hotspur won 2-1 at Leeds United on Saturday, as Thomas Frank’s fine start to life in charge of Spurs continued.
WATCH — Full match replay
Mathys Tel gave Spurs the lead in the first half but Noah Okafor equalized before the break in a tight, tense game.
Mohammed Kudus scored what turned out to be the winner as Spurs looked just a little more dangerous in attack compared to Leeds.
With the win Spurs move on to 14 points for the season, while Leeds stay on eight.
Spurs up for the scrap
The talent has never been questioned in this Spurs squad but the fighting spirit and mentality has. Not anymore. At least early in this season under Thomas Frank. Before the game Frank lauded his players for bringing the energy and intensity in each and every game this season. They had to dig deep against Leeds to grind out the win and they’re showing fighting spirit, despite all of their injuries, to get plenty of wins on the board early in the season. Frank has made Spurs more sensible, robust and pragmatic and even if they don’t create as many chances as they’ve done in previous years, they always look like they will get the job done. Scoring more goals is the next step for this Spurs side but Frank has built a solid foundation to build from and any good side has that. When the likes of Solanke, Kulusevski and Maddison return, Spurs will have tons more creativity in this team but at the moment it’s their organization and desire which is winning them games. That is exactly what Frank was expected to deliver and he’s doing it. It’s not flashy or flamboyant but Spurs are structured and disciplined and have enough talent, even with injuries impacting their attack, to win plenty of games this season.
What’s next?
After the international break Leeds head to fellow new boys Burnley on Saturday, October 18. Spurs host Aston Villa on Sunday, October 19.
Leeds vs Tottenham Hotspur score: 1-2
Okafor 34'; Tel 23', Kudus 58’
Leeds vs Tottenham Hotspur live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Vicario denies Piroe in stoppage time!
What a stop down low from Vicario. He denies Piroe and punches the air in delight. Leeds pushing hard to make it 2-2 late on.
Longstaff fires wide
Leeds have picked up the tempo after going behind and Sean Longstaff smashes a shot just wide. The rain continues to pour at Elland Road.
Kudus has a low shot deflected in
Spurs are back ahead and Kudus cuts in and his low shot deflects off Struijk and flies in. Kudus has his first goal for Spurs and he deserves it.
Ampadu lucky to be on the pitch
That is a late challenge from Ampadu who catches Porro on the shin. Ampadu is lucky to not get a red card there.
Half time: Leeds 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
That was a really fun half of football and 1-1 feels about right. Spurs will be disappointed they couldn’t kick on after taking the lead but Leeds are battling away and have had chances too. Thomas Frank’s Spurs need to create some more chances early in the second half to get some momentum going.
Tel hits the bar!
Odobert is in down the left and loops in a cross for Tel who heads against the crossbar. Great effort. That was a difficult header to generate power.
Okafor equalizes!
Leeds whip in a lovely cross from the right and Brenden Aaronson’s shot is saved by Vicario but he can’t hold on to it. The ball drops to Noah Okafor who taps home to make it 1-1. There was another ball on the pitch that almost rolled into the way of Okafor’s shot before it went in, but luckily for Leeds it didn’t. Great noise inside Elland Road!
Kudus smashes way over
Spurs are away on the break now and Udogie sets up Kudus but he curls his shot way over the bar. Spurs should really be 2-0 up.
Calvert-Lewin blazes a great chance over the top
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in the penalty box and driving away from Bentancur, but his shot is smashed way over the bar.
Tel’s deflected shot flies in!
That goal was coming and Bentancur latches onto a loose ball in midfield and Mathys Tel is played in. He still has a lot to do but Tel’s shot deflects off Struijk and flies straight into the top corner.
Spurs slowly waking up
A few decent attacks from Spurs, especially down the left, as Destiny Udogie is found by Xavi Simons and decides to shoot from a tight angle but Karl Darlow pushes it away. It is a very even game so far.
Rodon hits the post!
Great free kick in from Longstaff and Vicario comes out flapping and gets nowhere near the ball. Joe Rodon heads towards goal at the back post from a tight angle but he hits the post. Leeds so close to scoring early and Vicario looks extremely relieved.
Leeds lineup
Darlow; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Longstaff, Ampadu, Stach; Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor
Tottenham Hotspur lineup
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Simons, Odobert; Tel
Leeds team news, focus
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri remains out, while Wilfried Gnonto is also struggling with a calf injury. Leeds have been getting the ball forward to Dominic Calvert-Lewin early and often and although he’s missed a few big chances, the English striker has been a real handful so far this season. Leeds look really solid at the back and in midfield.
Tottenham Hotspur team news, focus
Spurs will use the full breadth of their squad following the midweek trip up to the Article Circle against Bodo/Glimt. The likes of Cristian Romero, Joao Palhinha, Destiny Udogie and Mohammed Kudus should all come back in to start. Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, Radu Dragusin and Yves Bissouma are all out, while Randal Kolo Muani is a doubt. That means Richarlison should start up top, as the quality of players out for Spurs is quite something.
Leeds vs Tottenham Hotspur preview
The Yorkshire side have fared well on their return to the Premier League, grabbing eight points from their opening six games. They drew 2-2 at home against Bournemouth last weekend and coughed up a late, late equalizer which will have left a bitter taste in their mouth. However, that disappointment shows how far this side have come and aside from the hammering they took at Arsenal, Leeds have been in every single game so far this season.
Spurs were in midweek UEFA Champions League action as they fought back late on to draw 2-2 at Bodo/Glimt after being 2-0 down. Thomas Frank’s Spurs are a more sensible bunch and they ground out a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves last weekend thanks to another late equalizer. Just one defeat in their opening six games has Spurs on 11 points and just four points off the top of the table heading into the weekend.
Leeds vs Tottenham Hotspur prediction
This is going to be tight and the game will be won on counters and set pieces. It seems like Spurs may just edge it. Leeds 1-2 Spurs.
How to watch Leeds vs Tottenham Hotspur live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday (October 4)
Venue: Elland Road — Leeds
TV Channel: USA