Pressure on Postecoglou ramps up after Spurs defeat

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has come under more pressure following his under-performing side's 2-1 capitulation at home to Leicester, who'd previously lost their last seven Premier League games in a row.

Tottenham are now languishing in 15th place in the 20-team league after a fourth-straight loss in the league extended their winless run in the competition to seven games.

The Australian's job tenure looks increasingly precarious, despite Spurs still being in the League Cup semifinals — they lead Liverpool 1-0 after the first leg — in the FA Cup and in the automatic qualification spots in the Europa League.

Leicester came from behind at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, scoring both their goals early in the second half through Jamie Vardy in the 46th and Bilal El Khannouss in the 50th. Richarlison had put Tottenham ahead in the 33rd.

"From my perspective, I see a group of players that are giving as much as they can. I know it will turn," said Postecoglou, who has been in charge of Tottenham since June 2023.

Tottenham have been beset with injuries this season, especially in defence, and were playing three days after a win at Hoffenheim in the Europa League.

"They had to back it up today but there were probably at least two or three players that weren't at 100 per cent," Postecoglou said.

But he added ominously: "I'm a football manager and I get judged on results, that is the way of the world."

Leicester climbed out of the relegation zone with just a second win in 10 league games under Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was himself under scrutiny ahead of the game having only been hired in late November.

In the other match, Brentford beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in a contest between mid-table clubs.

Bryan Mbeumo converted a penalty at the second attempt to put Brentford ahead. His first try at the spot kick hit the post and was cleared away by Palace defender Marc Guehi, who was penalised for encroachment.

Kevin Schade made it 2-0 to the visitors before Romain Esse pulled a goal back on his debut for Palace, two minutes after entering as a substitute.