Tottenham manager Antonio Conte said his players “need to rest, then work” after coming from behind three times in a remarkable victory over Leeds.
Rodrigo Bentancur fired Spurs level for the third time in the match via a wicked deflection off Luke Ayling, before the Uruguayan tapped in Dejan Kulusevski’s low cross to earn Conte’s team all three points.
In a breathless first half, Crysencio Summerville opened the scoring with his fourth goal in as many top-flight games before Harry Kane rifled in an equaliser from close range.
In-form Rodrigo put Leeds ahead again, but Ben Davies snuck a shot beyond Illan Meslier and the retreating Rasmus Kristensen to restore parity for the second time.
Another smart Rodrigo strike – his fifth in four league matches – left Spurs staring at the prospect of a third straight home league defeat, but Bentancur’s late double turned the contest on its head.
“I think it’s better to see the positive side,” Conte told BBC Match of the Day. “If you ask me about the game, when my team concede three goals, I’m never happy because it means you need to improve.
“This period has been difficult because of preparing for games every two to three days. I’m really happy to have this break [for the World Cup in Qatar] because we arrived today very tired, with a lot of stress. I think for sure we have to continue to improve.”
Leeds’ misery was compounded when Tyler Adams was dismissed for a second bookable offence with three minutes remaining.
The victory consolidates Spurs’ place in the top four, while Leeds drop two places to 14th.
(BBC Sport)
