Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Leicester City

Robert Huth scored a late winner as Leicester beat Premier League top-four rivals Tottenham.

The Foxes, who are now level on points with leaders Arsenal, looked like they were heading for a fourth league game without a goal until unmarked Huth headed home Christian Fuchs' corner.

Harry Kane had Spurs' best chance when his effort was touched on to the bar by keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Foxes striker Jamie Vardy returned from groin surgery but had a quiet game.

It was the second of three meetings between the clubs in 10 days, following Sunday's 2-2 FA Cup draw - with their replay to be shown on BBC One, next Wednesday.

Relive Leicester's win over Tottenham.

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Foxes breathe new life into challenge

It's only January, not May - Ranieri

There had been fears Leicester's slide was beginning after three games without scoring - and they looked like making that four in a row before Huth's late goal.

But this win - which takes them seven points above fourth-placed Spurs and eight clear of West Ham in fifth - will give them real hope of finishing in the Champions League places, if not higher.

They were characteristically short of possession with only 39% - their average of 40.62% is the third lowest in the league - but they have shown they are far from a two-man team with Riyad Mahrez and Vardy, their two stars of the campaign, subdued throughout.

Do Spurs need a new striker?

Average positions — Harry Kane (10) was well supported and Erik Lamela played ahead of him - as shown in the average positions graphic

Maybe, but it was wasteful finishing rather than the lack of a second striker that cost Spurs against the Foxes.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has continually insisted it is not urgent they sign a new striker to partner Kane, who is their top scorer with 11 league goals.

The England international was their sole striker against Leicester but Spurs' formation meant Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli got forward to support him regularly.

Those four had a combined 18 shots, although Kane's effort which Schmeichel touched on to the bar was one of only five shots on target the team managed.

Man of the match - Robert Huth

'Boof'

Former England captain Alan Shearer on Match of the Day: "It's a remarkable story for Leicester. Only Manchester City have scored more goals than them.

"It was a good old-fashioned proper plant your feet, arch your back and get your neck muscles going header from Huth. Look at the power. Boof."

Ex-Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann: "It's a blip for Spurs. They're still in a good position and favourites to reach the Champions League. The worry is the lack of form from Christian Eriksen, who hasn't scored in the league since October. They are over-reliant on Harry Kane. If he gets injured they'll be in trouble."

'So much work to do'

Claudio Ranieri and Mauricio Pochettino — Claudio Ranieri tried to sign Mauricio Pochettino for Atletico Madrid during his playing days

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri told BBC Match of the Day: "We wanted to win but we knew it was a difficult match. Tottenham started very well and put us under pressure but we didn't lose our confidence or shape and it was difficult for them.

"In the second half it was an open match. We both had chances and we scored the goal. Unfortunately it's January, not May. There's so much work to do. We have to remain calm and believe in what we're doing."

Result hard to explain - Mauricio Pochettino

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino: "I'm disappointed. We created the better chances. You need to score. We need to keep calm and try to improve.

"All the stats are positive for us. It's difficult to explain - we deserved more and to win the game. In football you can get punished for one little mistake. We are going to try to analyse the game. We were unlucky tonight."

The stats you need to know

Leicester have now secured more points this season (43) than they did in the whole of the 2014-15 Premier League campaign (41)

Robert Huth's goal ended Leicester's run of 374 minutes without a goal in the Premier League

The Foxes earned their first league win at White Hart Lane since October 1999

Spurs have won just one of their past four Premier League home games (D1 L2)

Claudio Ranieri has never lost a Premier League match as a manager against Tottenham (W7 D3)

Since breaking the Premier League record for goals in consecutive games, Jamie Vardy has scored just one goal from six shots on target in seven games

Next up for both sides

Both sides will be confident of wins on Saturday in the Premier League. Leicester visit bottom side Aston Villa, while Tottenham host third-from-bottom Sunderland.

The Foxes and Spurs then meet again next Wednesday in their televised FA Cup third-round replay.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Tottenham

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Lloris
2Walker
4Alderweireld
5Vertonghen
33Davies
15DierBooked at 79minsSubstituted forOnomahat 90'minutes
28CarrollSubstituted forSon Heung-Minat 82'minutes
11Lamela
23EriksenSubstituted forDembéléat 71'minutes
20Alli
10Kane

Substitutes

3Rose
7Son Heung-Min
13Vorm
16Trippier
19Dembélé
25Onomah
27Wimmer

Leicester

Formation 4-4-2

1Schmeichel
17Simpson
5Morgan
6Huth
28Fuchs
26MahrezSubstituted forDyerat 90'minutes
14Kanté
4Drinkwater
11Albrighton
20OkazakiSubstituted forKingat 77'minutes
9VardySubstituted forUlloaat 71'minutes

Substitutes

10King
22Gray
23Ulloa
24Dyer
27Wasilewski
32Schwarzer
33Inler

Referee:: Lee Mason
Attendance:: 35,850

Match Stats

Home TeamTottenhamAway TeamLeicester

Possession: Home62%; Away38%

Shots: Home21; Away10

Shots on Target: Home5; Away2

Corners: Home16; Away8

Fouls: Home13; Away10

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 0, Leicester City 1.
90'+5'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 0, Leicester City 1.

90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur).
90'+4'
Post update
N'Golo Kanté (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+4'
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
90'+3'
Post update
Delay in match Nathan Dyer (Leicester City) because of an injury.
90'+3'
Post update
Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+3'
Post update
Foul by Nathan Dyer (Leicester City).
90'
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Josh Onomah replaces Eric Dier.
90'
Substitution
Substitution, Leicester City. Nathan Dyer replaces Riyad Mahrez.
90'
Post update
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'
Post update
Foul by Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City).
88'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
87'
Post update
Offside, Leicester City. Kasper Schmeichel tries a through ball, but Leonardo Ulloa is caught offside.
85'
Post update
Foul by Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur).
85'
Post update
Christian Fuchs (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83'
Goal!
Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 0, Leicester City 1. Robert Huth (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Christian Fuchs with a cross following a corner.
83'
Post update
Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Dele Alli.
82'
Substitution
Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Son Heung-Min replaces Tom Carroll.
81'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

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