It wasn’t pretty, but Tottenham got the job done against Leeds United. Both their goals justified Thomas Frank’s plan A at Elland Road.
Following two consecutive draws against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bodo/Glimt, Spurs managed to collect all three points against Leeds. It was a necessary response despite not being the most convincing performance.
Still, you can’t say that Thomas Frank’s game plan didn’t work. Tottenham got the win doing exactly what they wanted from the start.
How did Tottenham beat Leeds?
Right-side escapes
Since the Dane’s arrival there’s been a clear preference for a more direct approach. That was the case once again at Elland Road, with the Spurs looking to get wingers and full-backs on the run to hurt Leeds.
There was also an emphasis on the right side, with Pedro Porro and Mohammed Kudus combining off the ball to get going down the flank. From goal kicks, build-ups, fast breaks or recoveries. That’s how they got their first goal.
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Tottenham got the ball back from a Leeds goal kick and Kudus immediately looked for the through ball down the right. Mathys Tel, who favoured runs in that side all game long, chased it and scored following a deflection.
The number ended up even at 40% in both sides, but it was favoured to the right by 44% to 35% in the left until the 80th minute.
Manipulation to get wide runs in behind
Spurs were looking to attack with speed down the wings but it’s not as easy as it sounds. Thomas Frank deployed a number of mechanisms in order to get all of this going for his side.
He manipulated Daniel Farke’s man-marking in order to drag Leeds defenders out of position and free up space. Kudus and Xavi Simons were key for this, taking Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle, respectively, higher up the pitch and going inside.
As a result, Wilson Odobert had more space to operate out wide, while Porro and Destiny Udogie had room to charge forward.
The second goal actually came from an on-ball combination between Porro and Kudus. The Spaniard launched the ball forwards to find the Ghanaian international, who pounced on Gudmundsson’s mistake to cut inside and make it 2-1.
In order for that to happen though, Simons took Ethan Ampadu all the way to Tottenham’s defending half. Okafor was trying to block the pass while Gudmundsson was left on an island with Kudus. The play ended on a 3v3 with Kudus carrying the ball in-rhythm towards goal. That’s the dream scenario for Spurs.
Tottenham also baited Leeds into pressuring them by taking time on the ball near their own goal and waiting until the last second to play passes. Once the hosts were engaged, that’s when the long through balls – over the top or on the ground – came.
Xavi Simons’ role
Thomas Frank’s attacking strategy worked and led Tottenham to getting all three points, but still left their main creative threat relatively quiet.
Tottenham play with little pause and always look to run down the wings. In return, Xavi Simons’ involvements on the ball are few and far between. He does drop deep, but usually as bait to drag defenders out of position and enable long balls forward.
When he did have the chance to set teammates up or play the through balls himself, he did so brilliantly. First on the left side spotting an overlapping Udogie and later on with Porro. However, both of them failed to get anything out of the cross – the former sending it straight at the goalkeeper and the latter hitting the side-netting.
At least Thomas Frank deployed Simons in a more central role rather than relegated to the wing. He can impact the game a lot more with freedom to roam, and he did so today. But once the Dane fully integrates him into his system, it’s likely the 22-year-old reaches even higher heights.
Key stats:
- 2 chances created (Ranked #3)
- 2 take-ons completed (Ranked #2)
- 90% passing accuracy (Ranked #9)
Vicario’s wild afternoon
Guglielmo Vicario had an up-and-down game at Elland Road. He could’ve done better parrying Brenden Aaronson’s shot that led to Noah Okafor’s goal and had Spurs fans calling for Antonin Kinsky to take his place in the starting XI in the next few games.
However, in the second half, he was vital in securing the three points for Tottenham, denying both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joel Piroe with brilliant saves to keep his side ahead.
The Italian’s overall impact in the game was very positive after what looked like was going to be a tough afternoon.
Key stats:
- 3 saves (Ranked #1)
- 0.45 goals prevented (Ranked #1)
Tottenham are still struggling to fully impress, but at least they’re collecting points in the process. Thomas Frank’s men are unbeaten in seven games across all competitions and have lost just once this season (0-1 against Bournemouth in late August). Next up are an in-form Aston Villa at home.