Conte's wing-back stance clear
Antonio Conte's stance regarding his Tottenham wing-backs was made crystal clear ahead of Sunday's Premier League game against Leicester City. Getting no joy from both flanks in the past two fixtures, many supporters called for a change at right wing-back due to Emerson Royal's struggles.
Without Matt Doherty through injury at present, the Spurs head coach lacks options on the right for the run-in. Academy ace Marcel Lavinier had made the bench against Brighton & Hove Albion, but it would be a huge call for the Italian to select him from the start, with Dejan Kulusevski another option to play there if Conte wanted to move the Swede back from his attacking role.
As many predicted, Emerson kept his place in the team to face the Foxes, but Kulusevski was replaced in the Xi by Lucas Moura. Struggling at times to get to grips with his wing-back position and causing problems in the final third, the ex-Real Betis man was very impressive against the Foxes and delivered one of his best performances in a Tottenham shirt.
Conte and Tottenham need more of the same from the player in the remaining four games.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on what he told Son, Romero and why he feels sorry for Bergwijn
Romero gives Conte a scare
Tottenham had a couple of nervy moments in the first half with some sloppy play giving Leicester a couple of chances on goal. Firstly, Ben Davies lost possession just outside the box and was fortunate that Cristian Romero came from nowhere and was on hand to produce a fine clearance after Marc Albrighton had squared the ball across the face of the goal.
Romero was then involved in another worrying defensive moment towards the end of the first half with a pass that sold Eric Dier short inside his own box. Thankfully the long-serving centre-back was quick to react and booted the ball away from danger before it was intercepted.
The moment didn't go down well with Conte, though, as he held his arms out wide to question what on earth was going on before then walking back to the bench complaining about the incident. It certainly did give him a bit of a scare, and he wasn't impressed about it at all.
Romero's role in Son's strike
It was on the hour mark when Tottenham gave themselves a two-goal cushion courtesy of Son Heung-min's strike. Giving Leicester a few glimmers of hope in the first half, Spurs really needed a second goal for a bit of breathing space.
Son and Kulusevski will get all the plaudits after combining so well in the box for the former to convert, but Romero also deserves plenty of praise for his role in the strike after winning a big tackle with Caglar Soyuncu. Coming out on top in one tackle, the Argentina international raced into the 50-50 with the Turkish international, and there was only ever going to be one winner.
It was a crunching tackle from the summer signing, and the impact could be heard right across Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kasper Schmeichel and a handful of Leicester players complained to referee Jonathan Moss as soon as the ball hit the net, believing it was a dangerous tackle with the player not in control.
The Spurs players most definitely appreciated Romero's contribution, with Davies making a beeline for his teammate during the celebrations as he walked up from his defensive position to give him a high five and a hug.
Angry Stellini
Dropped down to the bench after two poor performances, Kulusevski entered the fray in the 55th minute as Lucas made way. Intent on making an impact to help Spurs get all three points, the Sweden international had a huge influence on proceedings within minutes of coming on.
Working his way into the box after a dazzling run through the Leicester backline, the player couldn't quite sort out his feet once through, and the ball, unfortunately, ran out of play. A few minutes later and he registered his seventh assist since joining Tottenham after picking out Son in the box.
In a confident mood and looking to get forward at every opportunity, Kulusevski embarrassed Leicester's Luke Thomas on the halfway line with a neat flick to get beyond him despite having very little space to operate. The left-back quickly got his revenge by hacking his opponent down, thus seeing Spurs assistant boss Cristian Stellini race from the bench and remonstrate with fourth official Graham Scott following the incident.
Clearly outraged and getting his point across numerous times, it wasn't long before Conte joined him in complaining to the official.
Leicester's Kane woes continue
Leicester City fans must be sick of the sight of Harry Kane after yet another goal against his former loan club. Coming into Sunday's game with 18 goals in all competitions against the Midlands side, the England captain added another to his name early in the first half with a stooping header from Son's corner.
Prior to that point, the striker had looked slightly rusty with his passing and some of his general play rather sloppy. However, he was in place when it mattered most to give Spurs a crucial lead.
Leicester will be dreading coming up against the frontman next season.
