Evening Standard
·19 August 2024
Tottenham player ratings vs Leicester: James Maddison stars as Dominic Solanke endures frustrating debut
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Evening Standard
·19 August 2024
Spurs’ new £65million signing impresses with much of his play but should have opened his account in a profligate display from the visitors
Tottenham began the season with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Leicester, as Steve Cooper’s side came from behind to snatch a point at the King Power Stadium on their return to the Premier League.
Pedro Porro deservedly nodded Spurs in front midway through the first half but the visitors missed a succession of chances, and Jamie Vardy made them pay with an equaliser after the break.
Here’s how we rated the Spurs players…
Guglielmo Vicario 8
Saved from Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi to keep Spurs level in the second half. Quick off his line and his distribution was solid.
Pedro Porro 7
Took his goal superbly, darting into the box and guiding James Maddison’s cross into the far corner. But he was among the defenders to fail to defend the far post for the Leicester leveller and allowed Vardy to escape behind him for another chance soon after.
Cristian Romero 6
Caught ball-watching for Vardy’s equaliser in a costly moment. Composed in possession but stretched by Leicester after the equaliser.
Micky van de Ven 7
Commanding defensively and drove out of defence in possession when feasible.
Destiny Udogie 6
Completed 90 minutes despite missing most of pre-season as he recovered from injury. Pressed well, but not back to his dynamic best yet.
Rodrigo Bentancur 7
Stretchered off in the second half after an apparent collision at a corner in concerning scenes. Was composed in the middle of the park for an hour and tested the ‘keeper with a close-range strike.
Pape Matar Sarr 7
Ate up ground, including an excellent covering run to block a Bobby De Cordova-Reid shot at the start of the second half. Created a great chance for Dominic Solanke with a neat through ball.
James Maddison 8
Back at his former club and nearly back to his best. The playmaker recaptured his form of the first 10 games of last season with a display full of verve.
Created the opening goal with a cross for Porro, but faded in the second half.
Stung the palms of Mads Hermansen with a fierce volley and guided Maddison’s free-kick just wide in a bright first half. A threat, but occasionally switched off.
Heung-min Son 5
Well shackled by Leicester full-back James Justin and guilty of some loose touches when it mattered. Created a great early chance for Solanke with a back-post cross but not at his best.
Dominic Solanke 6
Caught the eye with his movement and hold-up play but will be frustrated he did not score after sending three efforts too close to goalkeeper Hermansen.
Lucas Bergvall (Sarr 78’) 7
Composed on his Premier League debut and had a shot blocked in a dangerous area. Lost the ball down Leicester’s left, prompting a rocket from Vicario after he saved Ndidi’s header in stoppage time.
Archie Gray (Bentancur 78’) 6
Tidy on his top-flight bow, replacing Bentancur at No6 as a concussion substitute.
Timo Werner (Johnson 78’) 5
Stretched Leicester and fired in a couple of low crosses but neither found their target.
Dejan Kulusevski (Maddison 78’) 6
Made a nuisance of himself in and around the box but could not help Spurs find a winner. Raced back to make an important late challenge.
Richarlison (Son 90’) 5
Headed wide a glorious late chance to win it from Bergvall’s free-kick.
Djed Spence (Porro 90’) 6
Blocked a shot on the edge of the box on his return to Spurs.
Not used: Dragusin, Davies, Austin.