EPL: Van Nistelrooy Hails Leicester's “Excellent” Performance in Win Over Tottenham

Leicester City earned a crucial 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur, with Jamie Vardy inspiring the team to their second league victory under manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy sang the praises of veteran striker Jamie Vardy after his crucial goal helped secure a 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Vardy's equalizing goal just after halftime, followed by Bilal El Khannouss's winner four minutes later, propelled Leicester to a much-needed win.

"I'm proud of the spirit of this team" - Ruud after #TOTLEI 🗣️

— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 26, 2025

Van Nistelrooy hailed Vardy as a true leader, citing his impressive form this season, which includes seven goals and three assists in the league. “He is a leader by example,” Van Nistelrooy said. “He is still producing. The respect from the team and the staff at this club for him is huge. He is also delivering.” Vardy's experience and influence were instrumental in Leicester's comeback victory.

The win was a significant one for Leicester, as it marked their first league victory after seven consecutive defeats. The three points lifted Leicester out of the relegation zone, moving them up to 17th place in the Premier League table. Van Nistelrooy described the win as “massive,” highlighting the importance of the result for his team's morale and momentum.

Bilal wins it! 😍 pic.twitter.com/KKIyXzsTGp

— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 26, 2025

Leicester's victory was all the more impressive given that they trailed at halftime, courtesy of Richarlison's 33rd-minute header. However, Vardy's goal sparked a spirited response from Leicester, who fought back to claim a vital win. The result was a testament to the team's resilience and Vardy's enduring influence on the pitch.

Dutch manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was thrilled with Leicester City's performance in their 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, stating, “The performance was excellent, the shape and the way the players were defending together.” Van Nistelrooy, who secured only his second league win in charge, praised his team's resilience after falling behind. “We went behind but the way the team reacted to going 1-0 down, they took the ball and started to play. At halftime they were calm and the way they came out of the dressing room was tremendous. I think that won us the game in the end.”

Van Nistelrooy was delighted with the team's overall display, highlighting their dedication and tactics. “The effort, the dedication, the blocks and the clearances, the tactics we made it was a joy to watch. It got us a massive three points away from home.” The win was a crucial one for Leicester, and Van Nistelrooy's praise reflected the team's hard work and determination.

Jamie Vardy, the sole survivor from Leicester's 2015/16 Premier League winning side, was instrumental in the team's victory. He was a constant threat to Tottenham's defense and demonstrated his trademark spirit. Vardy expressed his confidence in the team's ability to overcome their challenges, saying, “We have all stuck together as a team. We knuckled down, stayed together and got the big win.” He emphasized the importance of unity and determination, adding, “100% back every single one of them (to get out of trouble). We all know what is at stake. We want to play nice football but that was three points in the right direction and hopefully the start of a run.”