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Jamie Vardy: How Leicester City’s greatest striker outshone Tottenham new boy Dominic Solanke


The story of this game could have been very different if Tottenham had shown more sharpness in front of goal.

After a strong start last season, injuries hampered their bid to finish in the top four, but their lack of cutting edge at times also played a part.

That was the case in the opening 45 minutes at King Power Stadium, with Tottenham utterly dominant and creating opportunities, but simply failing to take them.

Solanke missed two, putting headers from decent positions straight at the goalkeeper.

But the former Bournemouth striker was taking up good positions and his team-mates were sometimes guilty of failing to make the most of that with some poor passing in the final third.

“They were so much in control, but you always feel like they can let you down and concede a goal,” added Carragher.

“It was like a pre-season friendly for them for the first half.”

Solanke was lethal for Bournemouth last season, scoring 19 goals in the Premier League, and it is far too early to be concerned by his failure to score in his first competitive appearance for Tottenham.

But with the hefty price tag comes pressure to deliver, and he will want a goal sooner rather than later to show that the investment can prove to be money well spent.

“This is a test for him,” former Manchester United defender Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.

“There will be moments. There were moments and big chances and he will be judged on moments like that. He needs to make sure he doesn’t beat himself up in the next few days.

“He probably should have had one or two, but he will get goals if he carries on doing that.”

Despite failing to build on their first-half dominance, Tottenham could have won the game in the final few seconds but finishing again let them down as Richarlison headed wide.

“It was a disappointing outcome for us,” Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou told BBC Sport.

“I thought we were excellent [in the] first half and controlled the game.

“We created chances and weren’t ruthless enough and wasteful at times, making poor decisions at other times, lacking composure. It’s stuff we need to fix. When you are so dominant you need to make sure it is reflected in the scoreline.”

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