LEICESTER, Aug 20 — Ange Postecoglou admitted “wasteful” Tottenham lost their composure as Jamie Vardy’s second-half equaliser gave Leicester a 1-1 draw against his profligate team yesterday.
Promoted Leicester survived a series of costly Tottenham misses either side of Pedro Porro’s first-half opener for the visitors at the King Power Stadium
Vardy made Tottenham pay for their erratic finishing with a typically predatory header, capping his surprise appearance just days after he had been ruled out by Steve Cooper after suffering a pre-season injury.
The 37-year-old has now scored nine Premier League goals in 17 appearances against Tottenham, who trudged off wondering how they had failed to demolish Leicester during their dominant first-half display.
Tottenham finished fifth in Postecoglou’s first season following a campaign in which the Australian’s commitment to all-out attack was eventually exposed at the cost of Champions League qualification.
Once again, Tottenham were hampered by poor finishing and unfocused defending.
Dominic Solanke was especially culpable on the striker’s debut after moving from Bournemouth for a fee that could rise to £65 million ($84 million).
“Disappointing night for us. First half excellent and controlled the game but wasteful in front of goal. Once Leicester scored, the crowd lifted and we lost our composure,” Postecoglou said.
“It was an issue we had last year as well. We need to keep working hard and be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. At times we made poor decisions.
“The dominance is great but if you don’t score it is meaningless. We have to be stronger in our mindset in the front third. To be that wasteful is disappointing. We just weren’t clinical.”
Leicester are back in the Premier League after winning the Championship to end their one-year absence.
Amid reports the Foxes could face a points deductions for breaking financial rules, new boss Cooper needs to hit the ground running if they are to avoid relegation and this gritty display was an encouraging start.
“I was as fit as a fiddle until I got to about 65 minutes if I’m honest!” Vardy said.
“Tottenham are a really good team but we have them too much respect. We started getting after them and it changed the momentum.
