Tottenham sneak past Leeds United in seven-goal thriller

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium played host to one of the most frenzied games of the first half of the Premier League season on Saturday as Antonio Conte’s side edged out Leeds United in a 4-3 thriller in North London. The visiting team took the lead on three separate occasions, only for Tottenham to hit back with equal measure and eventually snatch the three points at the death thanks to a brace from central midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur in the final ten minutes.

Tottenham welcomed the return of Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison to the starting XI for this pulsating encounter, but the home side were put on the back foot in the opening stages as Leeds United took the early lead. Midfielder Crysencio Summerville bagged his fourth goal in four games, firing past Hugo Lloris after being played through on goal by Brendan Aaronson.

Both teams had plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net in a breathless first half, and Harry Kane eventually levelled the scores for Tottenham on his 350th appearance for the club. Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier failed to get distance on his punch from a Spurs corner, and the Englishman volleyed home from the rebound to score his 12th league goal of the season.

Leeds continued to press forward despite the Kane equaliser and regained their advantage on the stroke of half-time with Rodrigo firing a volley through the hands of Hugo Lloris. The rollercoaster nature of the tie extended into the second period. Tottenham made it 2-2 in the 51st minute after another piece of questionable goalkeeping from a French goalkeeper, as Ben Davies’ long-range effort squirmed through the palms of Illan Meslier.

However, Leeds pinned Tottenham back with their relentless pressing in the second period and deservedly took the lead for the third time in the match through Rodrigo. Marc Roca released the Spaniard in the box with a superb through ball, and the Leeds forward took a majestic first touch before firing an unstoppable strike across the face of the goal and into the bottom corner.

Tottenham seemed doomed to head into the World Cup break on the back of two successive home defeats, but Antonio Conte’s side managed to pull out another sensational second-half comeback to steal the three points. Rodrigo Bentancur made it 3-3 via a wicked deflection off Luke Ayling before the Uruguayan sent the home fans into delirium just two minutes later with a simple tap-in from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross.

Tottenham have now won 13 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season, a league-high number, and Antonio Conte’s side head into the World Cup break in fourth place, eight points off table-toppers and North London rivals Arsenal.