Tottenham player ratings vs Leeds: Mohammed Kudus cements his status, Xavi Simons much sharper | OneFootball

Mathys Tel also produced his best display of the season in a gritty win

Improving: Xavi Simons

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Tottenham went into the international break on a high with a 2-1 win over Leeds at Elland Road.

After a strong recent record of coming from behind, Spurs took the lead here through Mathys Tel as a deflected strike opened his account for the season.

Leeds hit back before the break through Noah Okafor, but Mohammed Kudus got his first goal in a Spurs shirt in the second half to earn Thomas Frank’s side all three points.

It is the first time in two years that Spurs have won the match immediately before an international break.

Here’s how Standard Sport rated the Spurs players at Elland Road...

Guglielmo Vicario 6

Set a nervy tone when getting nowhere near an early cross. Parried ball into Okafor’s path for equaliser, but good save with his feet to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin and strong hand in stoppage-time to keep Joel Piroe’s strike out.

Pedro Porro 4

Ran ragged at times by Okafor, who had the beating of him from the opening minutes. As vulnerable in defence as he’s looked this season and poor in attack too.

Cristian Romero 6

Maybe relished an increasingly hostile atmosphere too much, squaring up to Okafor in the second half. Some strange decisions to charge up the pitch and leave Spurs exposed.

Micky van de Ven 7

Overall had the pace and strength to match Dominic Calvert-Lewin. A couple of unconvincing moments but solid enough as ever.

Destiny Udogie 7

A real threat down the left wing and linked up nicely with forward players. Deserved better with a couple of balls flashed across the face of goal.

Joao Palhinha 5

Slightly off the pace. Booked for a rash challenge and was loose on the ball. Didn’t quite provide the usual stability in front of the defence.

Rodrigo Bentancur 7

Crucial foot in to start move for Tel’s goal and provided good cover when Porro was struggling. Place in the side has been questioned really but he was important here.

Mohammed Kudus 8

A menace for the Leeds defenders, despite bad first-half miss. So strong and powerful and got his first goal for the club with a deflected strike. Feels like Spurs’ most important attacker.

Xavi Simons 7

Looked much sharper than he has in recent matches. Relished the freedom in a central role, some bright moments without really taking control as he threatened to.

Wilson Odobert 7

Confidence appears to be returning for the Frenchman. Drove positively with the ball and thrived with Simons and Tel to combine with. Deserves to keep place on the left.

Mathys Tel 8

His best performance for a long time. Got his goal with a deflected strike, denied a second by the bar. Linked the play well in a top striker’s display.

Substitutes:

Richarlison (Simons 73’) 5

Didn’t hold the ball up well enough after coming on, but forced a corner to tick away seconds with decent late effort.

Pape Matar Sarr (Tel 73’) 6

Little to do on the ball but provided energy in midfield as Leeds pushed.

Kevin Danso (Odobert 84’) N/A

Brennan Johnson (Kudus 90’) N/A