Tottenham Hotspur have left the door open for Leicester City to win the Premier League this Sunday after they drew 1-1 with 14th place West Bromwich Albion.
Spurs seemed to be cruising toward victory for much of the game. During the first half, their movement was fluid, their counter attacks quick, and their defense untroubled. Eventually they went ahead courtesy of an ironically scrappy own-goal from West Brom’s Craig Dawson.
But in the second half West Brom began to get a foothold in the game. They still had to settle for creating chances on the counter, but those chances grew more and more dangerous as the half progressed.
In the 72nd minute, the ball ricocheted to West Brom’s Salomon Rondon, who blasted a shot at Hugo Lloris’ goal. Lloris made a good save but gave up a corner kick in the process, and Craig Dawson, the scorer of the previous own goal, made him pay for doing so.
With the score knotted at 1-1, Tottenham knew their title hopes were in danger, but could do nothing about it. Moussa Dembele, Dele Alli, Christian Erickson and Erick Lamela all failed to reproduce the flowing offense they orchestrated in the first half. They still found space in midfield and could control possession for stretches of time, but incisive passes were met with strong challenges or misguided touches. It was a frustrating affair, and the game would end 1-1.
Now, Leicester City, the Cinderella story of the Premier League, and perhaps the greatest underdog story in the history of sports, are one win away from winning the Premier League.
The Foxes face off against Manchester United at Old Trafford this Sunday, May 1st, at Old Trafford. United have had a thoroughly mediocre year by their standards, but will be boosted by their semi-final win over Everton in the FA Cup. Leicester will likely be the favorites to win come Sunday, and should they, it will be the first time in a couple years that the Theatre of Dreams truly lives up to its name.
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