Antonio Conte and Tottenham added some much needed momentum towards their push to the top-four of the Premier League following this weekend’s 4-0 win over Leeds United at Elland Road. The Spurs are now in seventh place with 42 points and a game in hand.
Each of Tottenham’s last four Premier League win have come on the road.
Matt Doherty found the back of the net early to start things off in the 10th minute, before getting another set of goals in the first half from Dejan Kulusevski (15′) and Harry Kane (27’). Son Heung-Min added one late (85’).
Kane and Son now have the record for most goal combinations in Premier League history, overtaking Diddier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Kane has now scored 99 goals and Son with 61 when they have shared the pitch in the league. 37 of their total 160 goals as a partnership have seen one assist the other.
“For the first time I have seen my mark with the wing-backs,” Conte said. “It means that my system is starting to work. What I wanted to see today was the right spirit, the right character to fight and win the ball, against a team that are masters in these types of situations.”
Leeds remain in the 15th spot, three points above the relegation zone. They have, however, played more games than the teams around them on the table.
“It’s not just this game, but a succession of results and against these types of results, there’s no way of not feeling badly,” Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa said. “In this moment, it’s very difficult for us to impose our way of playing. I need no help to understand that the same way a style of play developed and was effective. So when the opposite happens, I have to admit that what I’m proposing isn’t working.”
Leeds have conceded 20 goals in February, the most a side has ever allowed in a single month of the competition since 1986.
“I wasn’t close to resign after Burnley defeat,” Conte said. “When I lose, if you expect that I am happy or to come to a press conference and laugh. I am not this person.”
The growing chemistry, and trust, between Conte and Kane is evident on and off the pitch.
“Today on the ball Harry Kane was incredible, with his goals and assists,” Conte added. “But off the ball I want to highlight his running and following the defenders of Leeds. When your best player is doing this it’s an example to others.”
Leeds United will hit the road for the next Premier League matchup against Leicester City next Saturday (5 March). Tottenham have some mid-week FA Cup action before playing Everton on Monday, 7 March.
