Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy struck a wonder goal as the Foxes edged Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in an engaging Premier League tie at the King Power Stadium.
Remarkably, Tuesday was the first time Leicester had beaten the Lilywhites at home and the result means that Spurs’ title hopes for this season are effectively buried with leaders Manchester City a gargantuan 13 points ahead despite having played a game less.
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Losses to Manchester United, Arsenal and a draw with West Bromwich Albion on the weekend had detailed the Lilywhites season, they had slipped to fifth in the league table and travelled to Leicester desperate for a win.
Vardy had other ideas, however, and scored a majestic opener for the hosts in the 12th minute.
Marc Albrighton’s cross seemed to have gone over the head of Vardy, but the striker outstretched foot managed to get the perfect touch to lob Hugo Lloris from a tight angle to shock the visitors.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men, who have arguably been better away from home this season, responded by pressing the Foxes high up the pitch and that pressure almost paid off when Moussa Sissoko was slipped through on goal by harry Kane.
However, the Frenchman’s shot was cleared off the line by backtracking Leicester midfielder Vincente Iborra.
Spurs looked sluggish in attack, with star midfielders Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli having an off-day, service to Kane was limited and the visitors struggled to test Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester goal as a result.
And Leicester would double their lead on the stroke of half-time via another memorable goal, this time via winger Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian cut in from the right, as is his wont, and unleashed an unstoppable curler that flew into the top-corner to leave Spurs with a mountain to climb in the second-half.
Danny Rose was a lively presence on the left-flank but for all his industry, had precious little to show for it as his final product was found wanting on several occasions.
As Spurs poured forward, they were likely to be exposed and when Jamie Vardy was released on the half-line, it seemed likely that the hosts would score a third but the striker could not keep his composure for once and Jan Vertonghen managed to recover the ball.
On the other end, Eriksen missed a sitter when he skewed a simple volley from inside the six-yard area, much to the disbelief of his teammates.
Pochettino sent on Erik Lamela and the Argentine winger would make an almost instantaneous impact.
Lamela, playing for Spurs for the first time in over 13 months, released Kane with a smart pass and the in-form striker scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season with a powerful first-time finish to give Spurs hope with 11 minutes left to play.
Serge Aurier, another visiting wide player who had put in plenty of effort with scant reward, would then swing in a dangerous cross for substitute Fernando Llorente but the gangly forward somehow contrived to miss and with that, the visitors hopes were all but gone.
Leicester climb to 9th in the table with Tuesday’s win, while Spurs remain in 5th place but could slip to seventh if Liverpool and Burnley can win their respective games in hand on Wednesday night.
It’s been an awful few weeks for Pochettino’s side, who are now in freefall and will have to dig deep if they are to remain in contention for the Champions League spots for the title seems to be well and truly beyond them now.
The Foxes face in-form Burnley on Saturday next while Spurs will have to pick up the pieces when they travel to Vicarage Road to take on a dangerous Watford side on the same day.