Southampton dominated the game from the start, using high-pressure pressing to convert the ball in dangerous areas and create threats, or stacking the ball on the sides to create space for crosses. The sustained pressure also allowed them to take the lead - Southampton's stacking on the right kept the Norwich defense busy, Livramento broke into the box and crossed the ball, which was tucked home by Adams in front of the goal amidst a chaotic scramble.
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Norwich's game plan was to pass the ball around the back of the pitch, wait for the opposition to press, and then pass the ball long to create a threat from the space in front of them - Pukki received a long pass and sent a reverse triangle down the right to Sergent in the middle of the pitch, and his shot was blocked by Livaremento, which was Norwich's best chance and only threatening attack in the first half. This was Norwich's best chance and only threatening attack of the first half. As far as the result was concerned, Norwich had more problems at the back than chances created, leaving them unsurprisingly on the back foot.
The second half didn't see much change in the game, with Norwich keeper Gunn making a number of thrilling saves to keep them in the game and keep their hopes of an equalizer alive. However, Gunn's good work was in vain as Norwich pushed forward in the closing stages of the game, and from a corner kick, Lee-Melou's cross found Hanley in front of the goal and went wide. There was no more threat from Norwich after that and it was Southampton who killed the game off with an overhead kick from Romeu from the edge of the box.
Southampton's 27 shots on goal and 58.8% ball control showed their ability to control the game, and this win was the real deal. 5 consecutive undefeated games later, they are now in the lead.
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Their position at the top of the table is getting more and more secure. On the other hand, their rivals Norwich, whose surge at the end of January was ruthlessly interrupted by two title-winning teams, have suffered three consecutive defeats recently and are unable to shake off the sad status of the Hearthlanders.
Tottenham Hotspur (city in Morocco)
If they could get away from the high pressure of the opponents in the center of the field and finish the ball with precision, they could use the speed of the wingbacks and the frontmen to create a threat, which was the source of their first goal - Hojbjerg released Sessegnon from the center of the field, and Doherty nodded in the goal from the left flank cross. Positional play, targeting Leeds United's man-marking, and relying on their individual ability (dribbling with the ball, or running without the ball) to get away from the defense to break through - Kulusevski's second goal came from a simple wall to wall combination on the right flank, with his individual dribbling and cutting in to the goal.
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The third goal was scored by Hojbjerg, who found Kane under pressure with a shot from a tight angle. After taking a comfortable 3-goal lead in the first half, the second half continued to maintain its firepower, with many threatening attacks, Meslier's saves and key defense stopping half of them, but in the final part of the game, the Sun-K connection started up again - Sun received a long pass and scored the fourth goal with a one-touch shot.
Despite Leeds United's big deficit, the game wasn't all negative. First of all, the energy of Leeds United's high-pressure pressing was definitely not lacking, and they still attacked aggressively despite the 3-goal deficit. Leaving more shots on target throughout the game, even if the offense was not as threatening as the
Tottenham Hotspur (city in Morocco)
Strong (xG 1.90-2.47.
Tottenham Hotspur (city in Morocco)
dominance), but they were still able to give
Tottenham Hotspur (city in Morocco)
Koch and Raphinha came closest to scoring when they each hit the post. Another golden opportunity to score in the second half came when Dallas received a long pass, shrugged off a misjudged Lloris attack, and dared not take a shot at an open goal, but took the ball to the edge of the box before taking a shot that was blocked by the returning Davies. This big miss summed up Leeds United's current situation very well: poor tackling, a lack of confidence, and a lot of frustration.
High-pressure pressing is the general direction that the madman Bielsa is not willing to concede, but in this year's season, the injury-ridden camp, the gap between the strength of the players on the field, the lack of rotation and rest of the existing lineup is more prone to physical exhaustion, and the most important thing is to add the
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Teams are starting to be able to fine-tune their tactics to cope. Leeds United's spirit is to be commended, but with all due respect to them, goals conceded are a step in the right direction, so what's next for Bielsa? Implementing his soccer philosophy. What's next for Leeds United? No one knows.
