Eric Dier blasted for ‘non-existent defending’ as Tottenham gift Leeds victory in huge blow to top-four hopes

Tottenham’s top-four hopes suffered another big blow as they were beaten 3-1 by Leeds United in what was branded an ‘appalling’ defensive display live on talkSPORT.

Patrick Bamford ended his goal drought in another brilliant performance from Leeds, who have now got results against all of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ at Elland Road this season.

Sixth-place Spurs are facing a battle to qualify for the Champions League, but that task has been made even tougher after crumbling against Leeds which leaves them five points adrift of the top-four with three games of the season to go.

Tottenham’s soft under belly was exposed once again as big mistakes from Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier gifted Leeds two goals on Saturday afternoon.

Stuart Dallas opened the scoring on 13 minutes after Alderweireld allowed a cross to go past him, unaware that the Leeds man was running into the box to put away an assured finish.

Heung-min Son then fired in an equaliser and Harry Kane had a lovely chipped goal for the lead ruled out by another nonsensical VAR decision, being flagged offside by a toenail.

But they had no one to blame but themselves as they soon found themselves behind for the second time in the game, as Dier allowed Bamford to stroll across him in the box to tap in his first goal in five games and his 15th of the season.

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Eric Dier was lambasted for his poor defending against Leeds

Spurs improved after the break but while enjoying their brightest spell of the game they were punished by another ruthless Leeds counter-attack.

With Tottenham pushing for a second equaliser, they lost the ball and were caught light at the back, with Dier helpless to stop Rafinha from bursting forward and setting up Rodrigo to make it 3-1.

Danny Mills was in the commentary box for talkSPORT at Elland Road and simply couldn’t believe what he was watching from Ryan Mason’s side, as he lambasted England international Dier for his latest no-show at the back.

“It’s a fabulous Leeds goal, absolutely brilliant, it’s well worked by the team and a great finish from Bamford,” said the former Leeds and England defender after Bamford’s strike.

“But again, Spurs’ defence is non-existent. It was too easy for Leeds.

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Stuart Dallas took advantage of a Tottenham mistake to give Leeds the lead

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Spurs were undone again by their frailties at the back

“Eric Dier was involved twice in that goal, a poor clearing header and then he was caught ball-watching, completely caught on his heels yet again. Bamford just steals in front of him.

“The defending from Tottenham was appalling for both goals.

“The first one comes in and you’ve got to get something on it. The ball is in the six-yard box, you can’t just leave that to chance! If you don’t know what’s behind you, you’ve got to gamble and have a swing at it and hopefully you get something on it and worst case it clips you and goes over the crossbar.

“For the second goal, Eric Dier’s initial header was poor, it was a soft header back into the danger zone, and as a defender you should be thinking, ‘I have to rectify my mistake, if this cross comes in I’m getting there and I’m going to clear that ball’.

“But he just stands there, almost hands on his hips, and waits for the cross to come in, Bamford just strolls across him, attacks the ball, and it’s a tap-in from two yards.

“That’s just not good enough!”

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Bamford got in ahead of Dier to put Leeds back in front

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Patrick Bamford scored to end a run of five games without a goal – netting his 15th of the season for Leeds

On the third goal, Mills added: “ It’s just a defensive calamity from Tottenham, it’s way too easy.

“It’s a great break from Leeds and it’s brilliant unselfish play from Rafinha but, Tottenham’s defence? Nowhere to be seen!

“Dier was completely isolated, and no fault of his own this time, but he’s left on his own as the only defender against two, he goes to close Rafinha down but that leaves Rodrigo completely unmarked, and that’s it.

“It’s still 2-1 at this point, you’re not 3-1 down, you’ve still got to keep defensively tight to get back into the game.  You’ve got to think two steps ahead, how to play if you lose the ball, and Spurs haven’t done that.

“It’s fully deserved for Leeds, though, they’ve been the better side. 

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“We were talking before the game how Tottenham were in reasonable form and were playing with a little bit more freedom and flair… but not today. It just hasn’t happened for them.”

The victory was Leeds’ first in the league over Tottenham since 2001.

And it also means Bielsa’s men now boast a record of welcoming all of the Premier League’s breakaway ‘big six’ to Elland Road without losing in their first season back in the top flight – five draws and a win.