Leeds 3-1 Tottenham: Spurs' Champions League hopes dealt huge blow

Report and highlights as Tottenham's Champions League hopes were dealt a blow at Leeds; Stuart Dallas gave Leeds the lead; Heung-Min Son responded for Spurs; goals from Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo sealed victory for hosts. Leeds up to ninth; Spurs stay sixth, five points adrift of fourth

Saturday 8 May 2021 22:16, UK

Tottenham's hopes of finishing the season inside the Premier League's top four took a huge blow as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Leeds United.

Spurs' interim boss Ryan Mason had targeted four wins to finish the season and with Leicester's surprise defeat at Newcastle on Friday, the door had just been opened for Spurs in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

However, they suffered an early set back when Stuart Dallas gave the hosts the lead in the 13th minute.

How the teams lined up | Match stats
Premier League table | Premier League top scorers

Tottenham cancelled out Dallas' opener to draw level in the 25th minute through Heung-Min Son, but Leeds regained the lead just before half-time as Patrick Bamford converted Ezgjan Alioski's cut-back from close range.

Spurs, who saw two Harry Kane goals correctly ruled out for offside, had chances in the second half but Illan Meslier kept out efforts from Serge Aurier and Giovani Lo Celso before substitute Rodrigo added Leeds' third to seal all three points.

Defeat is a huge blow for Spurs as they look to seal European football for next season. They stay five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, having played a game more than most of the teams around them and with just three games remaining of their season. Meanwhile, the win sees Leeds move above Aston Villa and Arsenal into the top half of the Premier League.

How Leeds eased past Spurs...

The two sides set a ferocious early pace, which continued throughout the first half, and it was Leeds that started the brighter.

They started with typical Leeds intensity and they took full advantage in the 13th minute. Jack Harrison's cross caused all sorts of problems in the Spurs defence as Sergio Reguilon turned the ball towards his own net. Hugo Lloris had to be alert to keep it out but the rebound dropped to Dallas, who fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Spurs, who were playing some good stuff of their own, responded well and they were back on level terms in the 25th minute when Dele Alli's clever through ball picked out Son, who swept the ball past Illan Meslier.

The visitors thought they had taken the lead six minutes later when Harry Kane latched onto another Alli pass, but the England striker, who finished brilliant, was flagged offside and a VAR check confirmed it was a close decision, but the right one.

Leeds regained the lead moments before half-time, and they capitalised on an excellent advantage played by referee Michael Oliver as Ezgjan Alioski's cut-back picked out Bamford who tapped home from close range for his 15th goal of the season.

Leeds resumed on the front foot at the start of the second half, but Tottenham continued to threaten on the counter. Kane had another effort ruled out - this time he was clearly offside - and then fired off target before Son crashed a shot into the side-netting.

Alioski's excellent run and cross just evaded Bamford, and Mateusz Klich was denied by Lloris, while Meslier produced a superb save to keep out Serge Aurier's near-post drive. Kane's free-kick then clipped the top of the crossbar, but back stormed Leeds as Toby Alderweireld's brilliant last-ditch block thwarted Klich.

Team news

Leeds were without captain Liam Cooper again for their home Premier League game against Tottenham. Cooper has served a three-game ban following his dismissal in last month's win at Manchester City, but sustained a gluteus injury and was not been included in the squad. Kalvin Philips and Raphinha both returned to the bench after respective knee and thigh injuries.
Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason named an unchanged starting line-up following last week's 4-0 home win against Sheffield United, with Eric Dier making his 200th Premier League appearance.

Leeds then made sure of all three points with six minutes remaining when Raphinha's cross was met by a thumping finish from fellow substitute Rodrigo.

It was nothing more than Leeds deserved, and they are the first side to remain unbeaten at home in a Premier League season against Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs since West Ham in 2015-16.

What the managers said…

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa: "For a while now we hope to play on an equal term with an important opponent. In some ways today we achieved this.

"The conclusion is linked to the enthusiasm of the players. The rebelliousness to try and look like the teams that are better than us.

"Every time a professional football team plays, they are obliged to give a performance to those watching and follow them. They are obliged to give their best version possible. We will try for this."

Interim Spurs boss Ryan Mason: "We had moments, but we weren't clinical enough at times. They started bright but we got back. At 1-1 there was an offside decision and I'm shocked. I don't think it was right. People don't understand momentum in football and how those decisions can affect you.

"I've seen it back. My first look, second look and 10th look tell me that it's not offside. At 1-1 it's a big moment. In my opinion they got that one wrong.

"Leeds know what they're doing, they play a certain way and it took us a while to get into the game. In the second half we were the better team. The moments we had; you have to take them in these games.

"Today was a massive game for us, to lose it hurts. It's difficult to win in the Premier League but we've got to have our full attention on next week now."

Man of the match - Jack Harrison

The winger was excellent for Leeds.

He held his width brilliantly and gave Serge Aurier a torrid time all afternoon.

His cross for Leeds' first goal was superb and he was unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet, finding Hugo Lloris in good form.

Opta stats - Leeds frustrate 'Big Six' again

Leeds became the first side to remain unbeaten at home in the Premier League against each of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd and Spurs in a season since West Ham in 2015-16, and only the third newly promoted side to do so, after Ipswich Town in 2000-01 and Birmingham City in 2009-10.
Tottenham have lost two of their last four away Premier League games against newly promoted teams (W2), as many as in their previous 29 combined (W20 D7 L2).
Spurs have lost five of their 10 Premier League away games in 2021 (W3 D2), more than they suffered throughout the whole of 2020 (W6 D7 L4).
Leeds United have lost only one of their last eight home Premier League games (W4 D3), and are unbeaten in their last five at Elland Road (W2 D3).