Spurs under 23’s 2-3 Leicester City: (match report)

Wayne Burnett’s Spurs under 23 side took on high flying Leicester City in the PL2 on Friday night. Spurs started the game well and they took the lead on 18 minutes through Dilan Markanday. However, after squandering a number of golden chances Spurs allowed Leicester to draw level before halftime. The ‘ Foxes ’ then managed to take the lead before the interval through Callum Wright, it in no way reflected how well Spurs had played in the first half. In the second half Burnett’s side managed to draw level through Jubril Okedina before Leicester regained the lead and went onto secure all three points. Spurs lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation as goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi started between the sticks while a back four consisting of Jubril Okedina, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Jonathan Dinzeyi and Dennis Cirkin lined up in front of him. Captain Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and Harvey White anchored the midfield while Maurizio Pochettino and Dilan Markanday operated out wide on the flanks, either side of CAM Rodel Richards. Centre forward Kion Etete started up top for Spurs. Spurs got the game underway on a cold night at Holmes Park in County Leicestershire. After defender Malachi Fagan-Walcott had passed the ball to Dilan Markanday on the left wing, the Spurs winger advanced forward before whipping in a low deflected cross which came to Brooklyn Lyons-Foster on the edge of the box however, his low first time effort flew just wide of Viktor Johannson’s goal.

A couple of minutes later and after latching onto the ball on the edge of the Leicester box Harvey White forced a save out of Johansson from his lowly struck effort. White then whipped in a corner kick which was cleared away by Callum Wright. After doing well down the left wing Tottenham fullback Dennis Cirkin managed to dribble into the Leicester box before forcing a low save out of Johannson. Cirkin then cleared away Callum Wright’s corner kick before George Hirst had a goal disallowed after handling the ball. Then at the other side of the pitch Josh Eppiah shot wide from the edge of the Spurs box before Spurs took the lead through Dilan Markanday in the 18th minute of the game. After Rodel Richards received the ball he passed the ball to Markanday out on the left flank, who dribbled his way into the Leicester box before shooting. Markanday’s effort deflected off of Leicester defender Darnell Johnson before nestling inside the bottom right hand corner of the goal, 1-0. The home side came close to drawing level after Josh Eppiah advanced down the left side of the Spurs box before shooting however, Oluwayemi did really well to push his powerful effort behind for a corner kick. Markanday then cleared away Callum Wright’s corner kick before the same player blazed an effort over Oluwayemi’s goal from range. Oluwayemi then punched away Vontae Daley-Campbell’s corner kick.

After Maurizio Pochettino latched onto the ball he passed it to the overlapping Jubril Okedina down the right hand side of the Leicester box but Okedina shot wide of the Leicester goal. A couple of minutes later Maurizio Pochettino latched onto Viktor Johannson’s loose pass. Pochettino then played through Rodel Richards whose effort was saved by the Swedish goalkeeper after taking a deflection off of Calvin Ughelumba. Harvey White then had a corner kick cleared away by Sam Hughes before Spurs had a golden chance to double their lead. After Markanday managed to find Fagan-Walcott who was unmarked inside the Leicester box with a pass. Fagan-Walcott had only Johannson to beat however, he placed his effort straight at the Leicester goalkeeper before Richards blazed over from close range. At the opposite end of the pitch Josh Oluwayemi punched away Luke Thomas’ cross before Josh Eppiah latched onto the ball inside the Spurs box. However, Oluwayemi came out quickly to close down Eppiah well and save his resulting shot, before he comfortably gathered Luke Thomas’ cross. Pochettino then had a cross gathered by Johansson before Jonathan Dinzeyi blocked George Hirst’s shot inside the Tottenham box. Shortly before the break Dennis Cirkin gave away a penalty after he fouled Vontae Daley-Campbell inside the Spurs box after the former Arsenal man had turned around him. George Hirst stood up to take the resulting penalty kick before burying it powerfully down the middle of Oluwayemi’s goal, 1-1. Jonathan Dinzeyi made a good challenge on George Hirst inside the Spurs box shortly afterwards.

A couple of minutes later and deep into first half stoppage time Leicester managed to take the lead for the first time in the game. Callum Wright met Vontae Daley-Campbell’s cross from the right flank and he powerfully headed the ball into the back of the net despite the best efforts of Oluwayemi on the line, 1-2. The halftime whistle was sounded by the referee less than a minute later. The home side got the second half underway and soon into the half Oluwayemi was called into action to save Matty James’ effort from range. Kion Etete then headed wide Dilan Markanday’s good deflected cross before at the other end of the pitch George Hirst latched onto Vontae Daley-Campbell’s cross before shooting but it was blocked by Okedina. Viktor Johnansson then gathered Dennis Cirkin’s cross before Darnell Johnson blocked another cross from the Dublin fullback moments later. After Rodel Richards had played the ball into Dilan Markanday down the left hand side of the Leicester box the Spurs winger shot wide of the goal before Spurs drew level. Cirkin passed the ball to Dilan Markanday who shifted the ball out to Jubril Okedina down the right. Okedina picked the ball up on the edge of the Leicester box and he looked up before rifling the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal, 2-2. The Spurs players then had a penalty shout waived away after Darnell Johnson appeared to handle the ball inside the Leicester box.

Josh Oluwayemi gathered Luke Thomas’ cross before Dinzeyi cleared away Vontae Daley-Campbell’s corner kick. Leicester regained the lead shortly afterwards after Matty James found George Hirst inside the Spurs box, Hirst turned sharply around Dennis Cirkin before firing the ball into the bottom left hand corner of Oluwayemi’s goal, 2-3. In response Spurs made a double change as Rayan Clarke came onto replace Maurizio Pochettino while Jeremie Mukendi came onto replace Kion Etete. There was then a half hearted penalty appeal after Darnell Johnson challenged Dilan Markanday inside the Leicester box before Jonathan Dinzeyi headed wide Dilan Markanday’s corner kick. Jamie Bowden would then come onto replace Jonathan Dinzeyi as Brooklyn Lyons-Foster slotted back into central defence. The powerful George Hirst then fired an effort just wide of Josh Oluwayemi’s goal before Bowden had a shot blocked by Calvin Ughelumba inside the Leicester box. Leicester came close to netting a fourth goal after Matty James passed the ball to the newly introduced Tyrese Shade, he continued forward down the right flank before firing an effort just wide of Oluwayemi’s goal. The referee then sounded his whistle for full time a couple of moments later.

Player reviews: 

• Josh Oluwayemi: The Spurs goalkeeper made three saves on the night including a couple of hugely impressive ones. Oluwayemi also dealt really well with crosses and set pieces.
• Jubril Okedina: This was a good performance from the right back who apart from defending solidly (the south Londoner made some good blocks), Okedina also showed some great skill on the ball. The 19 year old stayed deep when he had to but he also got forward well and he went on some good overlapping runs. Okedina took his goal really well (his first in the PL2).
• Malachi Fagan-Walcott: The RCB formed a strong defensive partnership with Jonathan Dinzeyi at centre back. Fagan-Walcott was strong in the air and good on the ground. He also read the game well.
• Jonathan Dinzeyi: Like Fagan-Walcott, Dinzeyi had a good game and he was good in the air and he made some really good challenges on the ground. The 20 year old also brought the ball out well from the back.
• Dennis Cirkin: The attacking left back went on some promising forward runs during the early stages of the game before later opting to stay deep.
• Brooklyn Lyons-Foster: The Spurs captain operated as a number four for Friday evenings game against Leicester City and I thought that he did a good job in that position. Lyons-Foster was aggressive and he did well at snuffing out the danger and sweeping up in front of the back four. Lyons-Foster’s energy levels and stamina was impressive on the night.
• Harvey White: The central midfielder patrolled the midfield and he did a good job alongside Lyons-Foster at sweeping up in front of the back four. White showed good bite to his game and he remained tenacious throughout Fridays game. He also made some nice forward passes.
• Maurizio Pochettino: Although Spurs didn’t focus their attentions down the right hand side, Pochettino used the ball well when he got it. The Barcelona born winger showed some nice skill and he made a couple of clever passes.
• Rodel Richards: Operating in the CAM role Rodel Richards showed good energy and he created a couple of decent chances.
• Dilan Markanday: My man of the match, see below.
• Kion Etete: The 18 year old didn’t get great service although he did do a good job at holding the ball up. 
• Jeremie Mukendi: The second half substitute pressed well when he came on.
• Rayan Clarke: The late substitute worked hard out on the right flank and he tracked back well after him.
• Jamie Bowden: It was great to see the Ireland under 19 international back in action, after he returned from a recent injury to come on as a late substitute against Leicester. Bowden looked nice and sharp when he came on in central midfield.

My man of the match: Skilful winger Dilan Markanday put in a very good performance out on the right flank. Markanday chipped in with a goal and an assist. The 18 year old dribbled forward with the ball well before finding the back of the net before later showing good vision to pick out Jubril Okedina for his goal. The Barnet born first year pro went on many a good jinking run down the right flank and he also tracked back excellently after himself, and he made some good tackles. This was a good all round performance from Markanday who was always direct and looking to whip low crosses into the Leicester box. 

Leicester City: Johansson, Johnson (C, Ndukwu 64), Thomas, James, Hughes, Ughelumba, Daley-Campbell, Wright, Hirst, Leshabela (Reghba 64), Eppiah (Shade 74). Substitutes (not used): Arlott-John, Stolarczyk.

Spurs: Oluwayemi, Okedina, Cirkin, Lyons-Foster, Fagan-Walcott, Dinzeyi (Bowden 85), Pochettino (Clarke 78), White, Richards, Etete (Mukendi 78), Markanday. Substitutes (not used): Kurylowicz, Thorpe.

Goals: Leicester – Hirst (penalty) 44, 74, Wright 45+3; Spurs – Markanday 18, Okedina 58.

Yellow cards: Leicester – Daley-Campbell 66.

Referee: Martin Woods.

Venue: Holmes Park, Leicester.

Spurs under 23’s statistics: 

Goals: Armando Shashoua – 5

Harvey White – 3

Rodel Richards – 3

Jamie Bowden – 3

Dilan Markanday – 3

Troy Parrott – 2

Kazaiah Sterling – 2

Tashan Oakley-Boothe – 2

Shilow Tracey – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Phoenix Patterson – 1

Elliot Thorpe – 1

Luis Binks – 1

Malachi Fagan-Walcott – 1

Jubril Okedina – 1

Assists: Shilow Tracey – 5

Dilan Markanday – 5

Tashan Oakley-Boothe – 3

Armando Shashoua – 3

Rodel Richards – 3

Tariq Hinds – 2

Harvey White – 2

Jamie Bowden – 1

Paris Maghoma – 1

Kazaiah Sterling – 1

TJ Eyoma – 1

Maurizio Pochettino – 1

Clean sheets: Brandon Austin – 1

Josh Oluwayemi – 1