Spurs Strike Late To Beat City
The Foxes' first outing in 11 days saw manager Brendan Rodgers make five changes to the side that beat Watford in the Emirates FA Cup earlier this month. In came Kasper Schmeichel, Luke Thomas, Çağlar Söyüncü, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Patson Daka for the clash with Antonio Conte's Spurs. Defender James Justin, meanwhile, was named in a matchday squad for the first time since 10 February, 2021 after recovering from a long-term ACL injury.
It took just five minutes for one of the returning Foxes, Academy graduate Dewsbury-Hall, to create a huge chance for Zambia star Daka, who got a touch to the fizzed cross, but he couldn't get enough on it to make a clean connection.
Then came another significant moment inside the opening 10 minutes. Former Fox Harry Kane sent a low drive on target, and only a goal-line clearance from Thomas prevented the England striker from continuing his fine form against Leicester. Kane was denied again moments later, after the ball ricocheted off him and into the arms of Schmeichel.
Leicester were tasked with halting the charges of Spurs' forward line, with Hamza Choudhury putting in a superb challenge on Sergio Reguilón to prevent the left-back from forging a chance for his team-mates. Not long after, Kane nodded onto the crossbar as Spurs continued to pepper the City goal.
Conte's outfit maintained their momentum and, on 21 minutes, Schmeichel was forced into a low save by Lucas Moura, beating away the attacker's strike, before Davinson Sánchez nodded into the side-netting a minute later.
But City repelled the Tottenham advances and, on 24 minutes, took the lead. A swift move, orchestrated by Dewsbury-Hall, saw the No.22's pass deflect off Reguilón and into the path of Daka, who prodded home for his eighth goal for the Football Club.
Somehow, a stunning block, this time from Marc Albrighton, prevented Pierre-Emile Højbjerg from firing into an almost open net after Schmeichel made a committed dart off his line, however the visitors were on level terms with seven minutes of the first half to play as Kane slotted in.
An opportunity to make it 2-1 to Spurs presented itself to Kane on 41 minutes, however he was unable to hit the target while one-on-one with Schmeichel, and under pressure from Jannik Vestergaard. A goal apiece at the interval and 45 big minutes to follow.
Into the second half, Söyüncü got in the way of Højbjerg's 25-yard drive, while a well-timed sliding tackle from James Maddison stopped Reguilón's attempt from causing any danger to Schmeichel's goal.
A moment of joy followed on 53 minutes, when Rodgers signalled to Justin to prepare to take to the field. It was acknowledged by rapturous applause from the Blue Army, as the full-back made his first appearance in over 11 months. Thomas was the man to make way.
After Choudhury went into the book for a foul on Kane, substitute Matt Doherty bent a left-footed effort wide of the mark. At the other end, a rapid counter-attack from City saw Maddison smash a strike at Hugo Lloris, who batted the attempt away. Youri Tielemans caught a sweet half-volley 20 yards out not long after, but he couldn't direct it on target.
Denmark stopper Schmeichel had to parry away Japhet Tanganga's long ranger on 64 minutes, and then got down well to hold onto Reguilón's right-footed strike three minutes later. Kane then curled into the stands as the game entered the final 20 minutes plus stoppage time.
City's second change of the evening came on 75 minutes, when goalscorer Daka was replaced by Harvey Barnes. He made an instant impact after his lovely link-up play with Maddison created a second goal for the hosts to put them back in front.
Another man to make a return to action was Boubakary Soumaré, who came on in place of the combative Dewsbury-Hall to make his first appearance of the New Year.
In the closing stages, Barnes had an attempt of his own blocked by Ben Davies deep in the Spurs box, however the visitors would strike two final blows as substitute Bergwijn snatched the win for his side with a late double.
Major moment
Having led the game twice, City would have been good value for all three Premier League points, however Steven Bergwijn's injury time brace meant the points would head home to London.
Where do we stand?
After their 19th Premier League match of the 2021/22 season, the Foxes remain 10th in the standings.
Coming up...
A clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at King Power Stadium follows for Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday (2pm GMT kick-off) ahead of the winter break.