'Defensive frailties Leeds United's undoing' -…

'Defensive frailties Leeds United's undoing' - National reaction to rollercoaster Spurs defeat

The national media have had their say on Leeds United's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs seal another dramatic comeback as late Bentancur double sinks Leeds

Nick Ames of the Guardian said: "Six weeks’ pause for breath never looked so tempting. This match had a seesaw feel about it at the outset and went on to surpass itself; Tottenham and Leeds were exhilarating and exasperating in turn, often during the same sequence of play, but when the music stopped it was Antonio Conte who could savour the moment with his inimitable brand of arm-whirling euphoria. He had enjoyed watching Harry Kane and Ben Davies adorn their World Cup preparations with goals but nobody in the ground could have predicted the identity of the player who turned things on their head.

"Rodrigo Bentancur had been helpless to prevent his opponent and namesake, the forward Rodrigo, from scoring his second outstanding goal of the game but need not have been concerned. Spurs were losing again with 14 minutes left but, by the time seven more had passed, the Uruguayan had converted two chances of his own.

"The first was a 15-yard drive deflected in via Luke Ayling, Leeds’s unfortunate substitute; next up was a close-range finish after stellar work from Dejan Kulusevski, whose return to the starting line-up after injury made all the difference for Tottenham. Now Conte can avoid too many awkward questions given Spurs will spend Christmas in the top four."

Late brace from Rodrigo Bentancur secures a thrilling victory

Matt Barlow of the Mail said: "Rodrigo Bentancur has become an unlikely late rescue artist and his two goals in as many minutes towards the end of a breathless contest with Leeds secured Tottenham a place in the top four as the Premier League breaks for the World Cup.

"The elegant Uruguayan midfielder kept their Champions League hopes alive with a late equaliser against Sporting Lisbon, last month, and snatched a late winner at Bournemouth in another epic comeback. Here, he took his tally to four in six games, transforming defeat into a much-needed victory for Spurs boss Antonio Conte, whose team have been misfiring in recent weeks, and torture for Jesse Marsch.

"I'm gutted, I feel like someone has ripped my heart out,' said Leeds boss Marsch after seeing his team take the lead three times only to be pegged back on each occasion and eventually overturned by Bentancur's second, created by the outstanding Dejan Kulusevski in the 83rd minute."

Defensive frailties prove Leeds' undoing

Matthew Howarth of the BBC said: "Having recovered from 3-1 down to defeat Bournemouth last weekend, Jesse Marsch's team were given a taste of their own medicine at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This was a game that showcased Leeds' technical qualities and defensive vulnerabilities in equal measure.

"They could have been further ahead by the time Kane fired Spurs level for the first time in the match, Summerville having been denied by Lloris moments beforehand. While the England captain's strike was controversial - Leeds felt Meslier was fouled in the build-up to the goal - Kristensen and Meslier will be bitterly disappointed not to have kept out Davies' hopeful effort, particularly after the Leeds keeper had done well to deny Kane in the build-up.

"Rodrigo's crisp finish into the far corner put Leeds on course for another memorable three points, but they let their advantage slip through their grasp yet again in the final minutes. Adams' clumsy, late challenge on Davinson Sanchez resulted in a second yellow card for the United States international as the Yorkshire club's recent resurgence shuddered to a halt."

'Defensive frailties Leeds United's undoing' - National reaction to rollercoaster Spurs defeat

Spurs seal another dramatic comeback as late Bentancur double sinks Leeds

Late brace from Rodrigo Bentancur secures a thrilling victory

Defensive frailties prove Leeds' undoing

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