Foxes Dominate In Brilliant Spurs Triumph
For City’s final fixture before Christmas Day, manager Brendan Rodgers made three changes to his XI from the 2-0 defeat by Everton, with the most notable being Belgium international full-back Timothy Castagne’s inclusion.
He returned after a hamstring injury saw him miss their last 12 matches in all competitions, while Jonny Evans was available to start after a one-game suspension. Ghana international Daniel Amartey was fit enough to take a spot among nine substitutes for the clash in the capital.
Both sides were awarded free-kicks in the opening stages but it was City who came closest to profiting from a set-play as Wesley Fofana flicked James Maddison's delivery wide of Hugo Lloris' right-hand post on six minutes.
Another Maddison free-kick followed on 14 minutes, and after Fofana flicked Harvey Barnes' header into the path of Jamie Vardy, penalty appeals followed, but after the striker's shot hit a Spurs man in the box, there was nothing given.
At the centre of the action again, Maddison lifted over the bar shortly after, while at the other end, Kasper Schmeichel had to tip Harry Kane's deflected free-kick away just after the half-hour mark.
It appeared as if a hard-fought first half would end goalless, however after referee Craig Pawson consulted the pitchside monitor following Serge Aurier's challenge on Fofana, the Foxes were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Vardy, who sent the ball down the middle of the goal for his 11th Premier League strike of 2020/21.
After the interval, with substitute Gareth Bale now on the pitch, Barnes drove towards goal and eventually, it was Maddison who tested Lloris with a long-ranger that the Frenchman was equal to.
The England international midfielder, just seconds later, thought he had doubled his side's lead after bringing down James Justin's precise pass and beating Lloris, only for the effort to be ruled out by VAR for offside against the No.10 in the build-up.
However, City's second of the afternoon did arrive, albeit via an own goal, as Vardy's header from a Marc Albrighton cross deflected off Toby Alderweireld and beat Lloris for a deserved 2-0 advantage.
Rodgers then made his first substitution of the match, as Amartey made his first appearance since early October, replacing Castagne with just under 30 minutes to play.
Spurs went in search of a way back into the game, with Kane driving low into Schmeichel's arms, before the Dane somehow tipped Son's effort at the far post over with a stunning one-handed save.
City thought they should have been awarded a second spot-kick of the game when Barnes was dragged to the floor by Aurier, but their claims were waved away with 12 minutes remaining.
Vardy then curled into the arms of Lloris and Tielemans lifted over in the closing stages, but it was the No.9's earlier strike, and the own goal from Alderweireld, that proved to be enough on a memorable night for the Foxes.
Major moment
When James Maddison saw his well-taken strike ruled out by VAR for offside, the Tottenham camp would have no doubt been encouraged by the decision as they sought a leveller in north London.
But it was the spirited visitors who responded to their disappointment, as Jamie Vardy's header from a Marc Albrighton cross struck Toby Alderweireld and found the back of the net.
The own goal, which came on 59 minutes, ultimately settled what was a thoroughly deserved victory for Brendan Rodgers' brilliant Foxes.
Who impressed?
Speaking on LCFC Radio, summariser Tony Cottee said: “It’s very difficult because there were some great performances defensively from Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana and James Justin. Harvey Barnes worked hard, as did James Maddison and Jamie Vardy.
"But I’m going to give it to a man that never lets the team down. It was a wonderful cross to the far post for the second goal from Mr. Leicester himself, Marc Albrighton."
Where do we stand?
After a 14th Premier League fixture of 2020/21, Leicester are now second in the division, with 27 points and a goal difference of plus nine.
Coming up…
City’s next Premier League challenge arrives on Boxing Day, when Manchester United visit King Power Stadium for a 12:30pm kick-off, while two days later, the Foxes head to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace (3pm kick-off).
All times GMT.