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Tottenham Hotspur kicked off 2021 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Leeds United in the 2020-21 Premier League.
Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot before his partner in crime Son Heung-Min doubled Tottenham Hotspur's lead just before half-time. Toby Alderweireld added a third just five minutes after the break to rubberstamp Tottenham Hotspur's first win in five league games.
The visitors were very energetic in the opening stages of the game, chasing down every loose ball. They found spaces between the Tottenham Hotspur midfielders to move into promising positions but lacked the final touch in front of goal, which proved to be Leeds' undoing on the night.
Tottenham Hotspur were awarded a penalty in the 29th minute when Ezgjan Alioski fouled Steven Bergwijn in the box. Kane sent Illan Meslier the wrong way from the penalty spot to give Spurs the lead
Leeds kept pushing for an equaliser, with Raphinha being the creative force for most of their chances.
However, just two minutes before the half-time whistle, the deadly duo of Kane and Son Heung-Min combined to double Tottenham Hotspur's advantage. Kane provided an inch-perfect pass to Son, who side-footed a first-time effort at the near post. That was Son's 100th goal in all competitions for Spurs.
The second half kicked off in much of the same vein as the first, but it was again Tottenham Hotspur who scored the next goal of the game. In the 50th minute, Toby Alderweireld headed home Son's delivery from a corner.
Leeds continued to do the bulk of the running, but Tottenham Hotspur held firm to return to winning ways in the Premier League. A late red card to Matt Doherty in injury time was a blot in an otherwise perfect outing for Jose Mourinho's men.
On that note, we take a look at the five major talking points from the game as Spurs moved up to third in the Premier League standings.
Also Read: 5 Premier League players with the most assists in a single season.
#5 Harry Kane scores against his 30th different Premier League opponent
It was a great first half for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane. The 27-year-old seemingly continued from where he left off the previous year.
By scoring from the spot in the 29th minute, Kane has now netted against 30 different teams in the English top flight. He has some way to go to take the outright record of scoring against the most number of Premier League teams. However, Kane is the only player to have scored against all Premier League teams he has played more than once.
The English striker picked up an assist in the game as well. He could have the all-time assists record in his sights too if he continues his rich vein of goal-creating form.
Kane is now the first player to reach double figures in goals scored (10) and assists made (10) in the top-five European leagues this season.
#4 Leeds' all-out-attack threat neutralised by Tottenham Hotspur's counter-attacking
Leeds United had roughly 60% possession during the game. They matched Tottenham Hotspur shot for shot in the first half and completed more passes with better accuracy. However, they did not have much to show for their efforts on the night.
Jose Mourinho seemed to have Bielsa's number for the majority of the game, as he preferred to sit back and let the visitors do all the work. However, Tottenham Hotspur were quick to pounce on the break.
The fleet-footed duo of Son and Steven Bergwijn helped a lot in this respect. Mourinho did not send his full-backs too deep into the Leeds half and that helped Spurs keep a steady ship at the back.
Also Read: 10 football players with the most fans in the world.
#3 Tottenham Hotspur keep a much-needed clean sheet
Tottenham Hotspur had seen their form take a hit in December, garnering only five points from a possible 15 on offer. One of the biggest issues afflicting them in this regard was their inability to keep a clean sheet.
Before their draw at Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur had kept a clean sheet in four consecutive Premier League games.
However, against Leeds, compactness at the back and a clinical display in front of goal helped Tottenham Hotspur secure their first league win and a clean sheet in a while.
#2 The prolific pair of Harry Kane and Hueng-Min Son equals another record
Harry Kane and Hueng Min-Son continued their brilliant individual form into the new year with a goal apiece against Leeds.
Kane has been one of the best players in the league this season and was the provider for Son's goal with a perfectly-weighted pass into the box. That marked the 13th-time the two players combined for a goal in the Premier League this season.
Kane and Son have now equalled a record of Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton in the process.
It could only be a matter of time before Kane and Son take outright ownership of the record.
#1 Jose Mourinho outthinks Marcelo Bielsa in the pair's first Premier League clash
Jose Mourinho continued his perfect record against Marcelo Bielsa with a rather comfortable win against the Argentine manager.
He has faced Bielsa five times in his career, with the previous four meetings coming between 2011 and 2013 during The Special One's stint at Real Madrid.
In the first Premier League meeting between the two acclaimed managers, it was Mourinho who came out on top yet again.
In five games against Bielsa's teams, Mourinho's have now scored 18 times while conceding just twice.
Also Read: 5 most supported football clubs in the world .
