Tottenham 3-0 Leicester: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Harry Kane Double Outclasses Lethargic Foxes

Tottenham went sixth thanks to the win over Leicester
Tottenham went sixth thanks to the win over Leicester / Michael Regan/Getty Images
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Harry Kane hit two and created another as Tottenham dented Leicester's Champions League aspirations with a convincing 3-0 win in north London.

Spurs went ahead inside the first five minutes when Son Heung-min's right-footed strike deflected in off James Justin, with Kane launching a quick counter attack with an inch perfect pass.

The home side doubled their lead just before half time as Lucas Moura played Kane through, with the England captain lashing a left-footed shot past Kasper Schmeichel.

Kane fires in his second for Spurs
Kane fires in his second for Spurs / Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The pair combined again moments later, with the Brazilian claiming an assist as Kane shifted the ball on to his right foot and curled brilliantly into the far corner amid some more sloppy Leicester defending.

The result leaves Leicester's Champions League aspirations in danger, while Tottenham are inching closer to a Europa League spot, leapfrogging Wolves into sixth position.


TOTTENHAM

Key Talking Point

Jose Mourinho stuck with the same side who were victorious against Newcastle and Arsenal, although there was plenty of interchanging between positions, hinting at an increasing comfortability between the players involved.

Spurs countered well with clinical runs, picking off the Foxes' slow back three at times with relative ease. Kane was the sharpest he has been since the restart and his two goals, as well as the pass to Son for the opener, showed his undoubted value as an all-round game-changer.

Lucas Moura set up both of Kane's goals
Lucas Moura set up both of Kane's goals / Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

There were some nervous moments early on and Hugo Lloris made an instinctive stop to deny Ayoze Perez. However, they showed a strong defensive resolve and their attacking stars reinforced the backline consistently - a sign of a Mourinho side if ever there was one.

Despite Leicester's improvement in the second half, it was relatively smooth sailing for Spurs and Kane's performance ultimately was the difference between the sides.


Tottenham Player Ratings

Starting XI: Lloris (8); Aurier (7), Sanchez (7), Alderweireld (7), Davies (7); Sissoko (7), Lo Celso (7), Winks (7); Moura (8), Son (8), Kane (9*).

Substitutes: Bergwijn (6), Lamela (7), Skipp (N/A), Gedson (N/A).


Harry Kane

Harry Kane is making up for lost time in the run-in
Harry Kane is making up for lost time in the run-in / Michael Regan/Getty Images

Kane was back to his very best and terrorised the Leicester defence all afternoon.

His pin point pass to Son for the opener was sublime and his two finishes with either foot were vintage Kane. He made runs beyond Leicester's central defence and also dropped deeper to get on the ball to great effect.

His determination to get back and defend would have also impressed his manager and he's showing that he has no issue scoring in a side managed by Mourinho.


LEICESTER

Key Talking Point

Injuries and suspensions gave Brendan Rodgers little choice but to use a 3-5-2 last time out and it proved extremely effective against Sheffield United, but they had no such luck this time around.

The Foxes were caught out early on as Spurs' deflected shot opened the scoring and, despite growing into the game in the second half, they weren't clinical enough in front of goal.

Jamie Vardy looked lively on occasion and Perez brought the best out of Lloris just after the first-half drinks break with a fierce drive, but the absence of Caglar Soyuncu and Ben Chilwell left the Foxes defence without any real pace at the back and they were made to pay in the opening 45 minutes.

Brendan Rodgers didn't have the answers for the Foxes
Brendan Rodgers didn't have the answers for the Foxes / Michael Regan/Getty Images

The trio of Kane, Lucas and Son ran rings around the weary Wes Morgan and rusty Ryan Bennett and the latter was largely at fault for allowing Kane on to his favoured right boot for the third.

It was tough afternoon for Rodgers and he'll need to rally his troops once again for a massive game against Manchester United on the final day of the Premier League season.


Leicester Player Ratings

Starting XI: Schmeichel (7); Bennett (5), Morgan (5), Evans (6); Justin (6), Tielemans (6), Ndidi (6), Thomas (6); Perez (6), Vardy (7), Barnes (6).

Substitutes: Gray (7*), Iheanacho (6), Mendy (6), Praet (6), Hirst (6).


Demarai Gray

Gray brightened up Leicester in the second half
Gray brightened up Leicester in the second half / Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images

Gray looked lively after coming on at half time, forcing saves from Lloris on two occasions and adding plenty of pace to the left hand side.

He was the driving force behind Leicester's improved second half display, although it came too late to salvage anything for the away side.


Looking Ahead

Tottenham have a final day trip to Selhurst Park to take on a Crystal Palace side that have won just once since the restart.

Leicester have a final weekend showdown with United at the King Power Stadium, where the much coveted fourth spot may go to the winner of that game.