Spurs book place in FA Cup fourth round

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21 Jan 2016

By Saj Chowdhury BSports

Son Heung-min scored a stunning goal and set up another as Tottenham booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round at the expense of Leicester.

With both sides flying high in the Premier League, it promised to be a closely fought replay after the sides drew the first match.

But Spurs were barely troubled and took the lead in the 39th minute when Son's 18-yard strike beat Kasper Schmeichel.

Nacer Chadli made it 2-0 when he converted Son's precise through ball.

The north London side travel to League One strugglers Colchester United in the fourth round.

Son shines for Spurs

It was probably the best 83 minutes of Son's Tottenham career so far.

The £22m summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen was the one bright spark in attack on a night when both sides lacked bite up front.

A graphic showing the area covered by Son Heung-min

Son was effervescent in attack for Tottenham - and was extremely effective on the fringes of the Foxes area

With Tottenham pairing Harry Kane and Dele Alli and the Foxes' Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez starting on the bench, it was up to the 'cup players' to prove they were also worthy of a place in their Premier League starting XIs.

For Tottenham, who made eight changes, Son's claim was the strongest. He did what his team-mates struggled to do for almost 40 minutes - penetrate the Leicester backline when he shifted past defender Ben Chilwell before scoring with a ferocious dipping strike.

And his assist for the second was also a thing of beauty. After collecting substitute Kane's pass from the left, Son nutmegged Yohan Benalouane with his ball for Chadli, who fired beyond Schmeichel.

Leicester's blunt attack

'Tinkerman' Claudio Ranieri repeated much of what he had done before the first match by making nine changes from the previous league match.

As in the first game, his side were content to let Tottenham dominate possession seemingly in the hope of catching them on the break.

However, the plan failed. The Spurs midfield quelled the threat of wingers Demarai Gray and Nathan Dyer, and in doing so cut off the supply line for lone striker Leonardo Ulloa.

Shinji Okazaki and Marc Albrighton were brought on after the break, as in the match at White Hart Lane, and improved matters. Albrighton had the Foxes best chance of the match when he forced a good low save from the otherwise redundant Michel Vorm.

In defence, Chilwell should perhaps have closed down Son for the opener, but he was Leicester's best player. The youngster was exceptional as an attacking full-back - the highlight a mazy first-half run that won his side a free-kick.

But it is now only one win in seven games for the Foxes in all competitions - is this more than a blip?

Man of the match

Son Heung-min - the South Korea forward is gradually gaining cult status and is perhaps worthy of a run in Spurs' Premier League starting XI

What they said

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino: "We have also the Premier League and Europa League and I think it is very important to keep the squad fit and working hard, and the FA Cup is very important for this. We are having a fantastic season, we are at a fantastic level.

"It is difficult to be fair to players but there is fantastic spirit in the changing room and in the training ground.

"I don't like to speak about change. For me, when you have 24 or 25 players they all work very hard and some players deserve to play and can't - you can only pick 11 and seven on the bench."

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri: "Tonight, Tottenham deserved to win. Our priority is the Premier League.

"The FA Cup, I wanted to see all my players and they played at their maximum. I'm very, very pleased with their performance."

The stats you need to know

In 13 meetings in the FA Cup (including two replays), Spurs have eight wins to Leicester's three.
Spurs have not lost away from home in domestic competitions since the opening day of the season (W5, D5), when they were beaten at Old Trafford.
Spurs have scored first in eight of their past nine meetings with Leicester.

What next?

Leicester are back in league action at home to Stoke on Saturday, and Tottenham are at Crystal Palace.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Leicester City

01 Schmeichel
17 Simpson (Albrighton - 63' Booked )
27 Wasilewski
29 Benalouane
30 Chilwell
10 King
33 Inler
04 Drinkwater (Okazaki - 45' )
24 Dyer (Vardy - 74' )
23 Ulloa
22 Gray

Substitutes

05 Morgan
09 Vardy
11 Albrighton
14 Kanté
20 Okazaki
26 Mahrez
32 Schwarzer

Tottenham Hotspur

13 Vorm
02 Walker
15 Dier
27 Wimmer
33 Davies Booked
28 Carroll
06 Bentaleb
11 Lamela (Kane - 60' )
23 Eriksen
22 Chadli (Onomah - 73' )
07 Son Heung-min (Alli - 84' )

Substitutes

01 Lloris
05 Vertonghen
10 Kane
16 Trippier
20 Alli
25 Onomah
29 Winks

Ref: Anthony Taylor

Att: 30,006

Match Stats

Possession 40 60

Shots

11 15

On target

4 4

Corners

3 8

Fouls

6 13

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Leicester City 0, Tottenham Hotspur 2.

90:00 +3:03 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Leicester City 0, Tottenham Hotspur 2.

90:00 +2:30

Corner, Leicester City. Conceded by Michel Vorm.

90:00 +2:24

Attempt saved. Leonardo Ulloa (Leicester City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Marc Albrighton with a cross.

90:00 +2:04

Foul by Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur).

90:00 +2:04

Marc Albrighton (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

90:00 +0:24

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90:00 +0:24

Foul by Marc Albrighton (Leicester City).

89:25 Booking

Booking Marc Albrighton (Leicester City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.