Leicester prove they can still fight with the heavyweights - but it's not such good news for Tottenham

After the blood, sweat and tears that went into Leicester and Tottenham’s title race last season, the two sides met at White Hart Lane on Saturday afternoon on somewhat unceremonious ground. Little more than six months ago, the Foxes and the Lilywhites were the fiercest of foes as both sides, rather unbelievably, chased down Premier League glory.

But speaking ahead of Saturday’s fixture, manager Mauricio Pochettino insisted that his side’s clash with Leicester wasn’t about revenge. New season, new side, new outlook. “The players are not thinking ‘it’s Leicester, the champions’ because we fought for the title. The important thing is they are focused on trying to take the points and win this game,” he said. "This is a different game, another season and everything is different.”

True to Pochettino’s words, Saturday’s fixture was just that. For those fans expecting fireworks and a revival of last season’s rivalry, it wasn’t to be. Instead, it was a case of back to basics as Claudio Ranieri’s men attempted to steady the ship while Pochettino’s team looked for their first win in four. For all those involved, Saturday’s match was just another opportunity to dig roots and push further on in the new season, not an occasion to dwell on what has has been.

Out on the pitch, the players got down to business. Captain Wes Morgan battled hard from his position at the heart of the Leicester defence, putting in a series of firm, but fair, challenges throughout the game to keep the opposition out. Out on the left flank, Ahmed Musa and Kyle Walker went toe-to-toe on multiple occasions as they sought to get the better of one another. And in the centre of the park, Danny Drinkwater and Dele Alli tried their best to get a hold of the game and dictate the run of play.

But despite their best efforts, neither side were able to assert their authority on the game. After Vincent Janssen had put his side ahead from the penalty spot before the half-time break, followed by Musa’s 47th minute equaliser, the game descended into a scrappy, panicked affair. Although Tottenham came closest to finding the winning goal, neither side were able to get a hold on the game.

While Leicester will walk away from White Hart Lane with their heads held highest, Spurs will inevitably feel that all three points have once again eluded them.

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But despite the scoreline, the game still served as a handy indicator as to how far these two sides had progressed since last May. Leicester’s historic success was understandably touted as a footballing anomaly; an event that, impressive as it was, will never be repeated again.

After the dizzy, lofty heights of their title-winning campaign, the new season was always going to mark a return to reality. Comfortable wins against Crystal Palace and Burnley, comprehensive losses to Chelsea and Manchester United, and now a satisfactory draw against Tottenham.

The visitors flashed with the sort of brilliance that underpinned their title-winning campaign. For brief spells throughout the match, the Foxes threatened with their pace as Musa and Jamie Vardy led the visitors on the break. It was courtesy of Vardy’s quick thinking and speed that Leicester clawed their way into the game after falling behind. Pouncing on a poor backwards header from Victor Wanyama inside his own half, Vardy drove to the right-hand side edge of the box before flashing the ball across the face of the box. Musa had timed his run to perfection and, without hesitation, fired the ball into the back of the net from six yards out.

But as has been the case with Leicester this season, aspects of their game were off the mark. Huth looked particularly out-of-sorts for much of the match. The big German who established such a solid relationship with Morgan last term was at times hesitant in his decision-making, sluggish on the ball and once again incapable of keeping his hands to himself. The centre-back was pulled up during a Leicester corner for pushing and, with just two minutes to go before the half-time break, conceded a penalty courtesy of some sly play on Janssen’s behalf.

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As for the home side, it was a similar story. Tottenham enjoyed their fair share of moments. In the 40th minute, Dele Alli found himself on the end of a well-worked movement down the right only to hit the upright from inside the box. Danny Rose impressed with an energised and dynamic performance down the flank, helping create a number of chances for his team. And late into the game, it was Jan Vertonghen’s turn to hit the cross bar as he rose highest inside the box to meet a Walker ball from the right.

But Tottenham ultimately failed to deliver the final product. They struggled to carve open their opponents and despite coming within inches of scoring on at least three occasions, they simply could not get the ball into the back of the net.

For the visitors, they will be content with a point - as they should be. They showed today that they can still dance with the heavyweights but for Tottenham, the draw was simply not good enough. Having started the season so brightly, Spurs are starting to stutter. Once they rediscover that clinical quality that defined them last season, only then will they be able to establish themselves as genuine title contenders. It’s time to prove that Pochettino’s new dawn isn’t a false one.