Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Liverpool
Four goals, a red card and a host of missed chances cheered up English football fans on a weekend of COVID match postponements. So hats off to Spurs and Liverpool!
In a great advert for the Premier League Harry Kane gave Spurs an early lead before Diogo Jota levelled before the break. And as the game continued at 100 miles an hour Andy Robertson headed Liverpool into a second-half lead before getting sent off, shortly after Heung-Min Son had equalised.
Conte has made Spurs much harder to beat since his arrival at the club and they put up a real show against the title chasers.
Highlights of the game
After a nervy start from the hosts, Kane’s 13th-minute goal lifted the roof off the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and sparked a first-half display of superb counter-attacking and they could easily have been three up before Liverpool equalised. The opener was classic Kane as he latched on to a sublime through ball from Tanguy Ndombele and fired the ball across Alisson and into the net.
The hosts exploited Liverpool’s high line at will and in a two versus two situation Kane squared for Heung-Min Son but he was on the stretch and scooped the ball just wide of Alisson’s right-hand post. It was a fast-flowing and tasty encounter, and Kane was lucky to stay on the pitch when he went through Andrew Robertson with a horrific tackle, but the ref waved a yellow card and VAR declined to differ. Take a look at the Premier League 2021 highlights; Kane was a lucky lad.
Naby Keita had an effort palmed away by Hugo Lloris and then Dele Alli missed a golden chance when Spurs broke through again. Harry Winks chucked forward a ball for Son and he weighted a beautiful pass into Alli’s path with the goal gaping, but he gave Alisson the chance to make a fingertip save.
Spurs, and particularly Alli, were left to rue their chances when Jota headed home the equaliser on 35 minutes. It was a brilliant chipped cross from Andrew Robertson which Jota expertly nodded back for his tenth of the campaign, to go second in the race for the Golden Boot, behind Mo Salah. Liverpool almost had a second when Jota crossed for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Lloris saved with his legs, and then as a breathtaking half came to a close Kane had another great chance but fluffed his shot.
Unbelievably, Spurs had another golden opportunity early in the second half when they sprung the offside trap, but Alli’s square ball to Kane was too slow and Alisson had time to make a brave save. Kane had another chance from the resulting corner but he couldn’t get on top of his header and it looped over.
Then in a huge moment Spurs thought they had a penalty but the game flowed to the other end and Liverpool scored in controversial circumstances. Dele Alli went down under a challenge from Trent, too easily and the ref waved it away. At the other end, Salah handled in a Liverpool attack but the ball was recycled and Trent fired in a cross for Robertson to head home.
But, in the game of the season so far, Spurs weren’t done. Son beat the trap again and Alisson raced out but missed his challenge and the South Korean slotted the ball home.
The match was frenetic and full of passion, but Robertson went over the top when he went through Emerson and received a red card. That didn’t deter the Reds and both sides went for the win, but a point apiece was the right result.
Key statistics
The draw ended Liverpool’s run of consecutive wins in all competitions and Spurs three league wins on the bounce.
Kane’s opener was, unbelievably, his first at home this season.
Liverpool’s second was the Reds’ 50th of the campaign.
What’s next?
Next up it’s the EFL Cup and we’ll be previewing the biggest games here at SBOTOP. Spurs have a London derby to look forward to when they face high-flying West Ham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Hammers put Manchester City out of the competition and they will fancy their chances of taking another big scalp.
Back in the league, Spurs have another derby when South Londoners Crystal Palace are the visitors on Boxing Day.
Liverpool stay second in the table on the heels of Manchester City. The Sky Blues followed up a 7-0 destruction of Leeds United with a 4-0 win away to Newcastle United to go four points clear before the Reds played Spurs. The Premier League 2021 betting odds strongly back City, but the Merseysiders will push them all the way.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have two home games to come, they host struggling Leeds United on Boxing Day, but before that they have a mouth-watering EFL Cup tie at home to Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
