Tottenham first-half player ratings vs Leicester – 5/10 for midfielder’s effort so far

The first forty-five minutes of football between Spurs and Leicester has drawn to a close, and it’s time for player ratings, as the Lilywhites lead at the interval.

Postecoglou’s starting XI is full of surprises

When the team news was released at quarter to one, there was confusion amongst the Spurs faithful as one key name wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

Despite arriving with the squad, star midfielder James Maddison was absent from the matchday squad today, leaving Ange with only eight players to fill the bench. Ange Postecoglou, speaking to Alasdair Gold, revealed that Madders “wasn’t 100% so he misses out today.”

It’s another name on the list of absentees for Tottenham. Other doubts, such as Bissouma and Sarr, return to the squad today, with Sarr claiming a spot in the starting eleven. Spence misses out altogether.

Throughout the first half, we analysed each player’s individual performance, rating them on a scale of 1-10. Let’s see how they did.

Spurs’ player ratings

Antonin Kinsky: Kinsky was put to work multiple times in the first half and he had to be up to the task, as he was called upon to make saves and catches in abundance. He dominated his penalty area and was superior aerially, and it was another impressive forty-five minutes for Spurs’ only January signing so far. 7.

Pedro Porro: Porro was lacklustre defensively as usual, but his attacking prowess shined through in the first half, as his curled cross found the head of Richarlison who fired home. 6.5.

Radu Dragusin: Dragusin was nervous on the ball, particularly when pressed, preferring to hoof the ball out of play rather than find a teammate at times; the perfect Ange centre-back. 4.

Ben Davies: Davies had his own shaky moments, most notably scuffing a clearance that nearly looped into his own net, but otherwise, the Welshman was solid in the first half. 5.5.

Archie Gray: Gray continues to look natural in whatever position he finds himself in, as the eighteen-year-old swept up Leicester attacks effortlessly and linked up well with Son in advanced positions. 7.

Rodrigo Bentancur: Bentancur started sloppily, giving possession away cheaply in the defensive third on multiple occasions. He tidied up his act as the half grew on, however. 5.5.

Pape Sarr: Like Bentancur, Sarr was guilty of giving up possession too easily as well. He found himself in wide areas at times and looked a little lost too. 5.

Lucas Bergvall: Bergvall was kept quiet in the first half, but the Swede was consistent with his passing and was always thinking positively with the ball at his feet, which is a promising sign in itself. 6.

Dejan Kulusevski: Deki struggled to get into the game for much of the first half, and the amount of football he’s played as of late is really beginning to take its toll on his performances. He’s exhausted, but we don’t have the depth to rest him. 6.

Richarlison: Richy opened the scoring for Tottenham just after the half-hour mark after he latched onto Porro’s sweet, searching cross. It was a superb, powerful header that found the net, making it two goals in three for Richarlison. 7.5.

Heung-min Son: Sonny started brightly on the left flank for Spurs, creating chances and not being afraid to shoot. He came close to bending one into the bottom corner just after the quarter-hour mark, but his effort was tipped wide by Stolarczyk. Later in the half, he rattled the crossbar with a looping shot that was just saved by the Leicester keeper too. He was definitely Spurs’ most exciting player in that first half. 8.

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