Jamie Vardy marked Leicester’s return to the Premier League with a goal as the hosts secured an unlikely point against Tottenham Hotspur.

Captain Vardy had not been expected to feature in the opening fixture of his side’s top-flight comeback having missed most of the preseason due to injury, but was deemed fit enough to start with Steve Cooper lacking in alternative forward options. And it had to be him to produce a magic moment: Spurs had dominated the entirety of the contest unti the veteran striker headed home a second half equaliser totally against the run of play, Vardy directing Abdul Fatawu’s cross into the corner to secure a 1-1 draw.

Tottenham had appeared to have been cruising to an opening weekend win after Pedro Porro capitalised on their sustained pressure with a flicked first-half finish. With James Maddison sparkling on his return to his former club, the floodgates appeared likely to open thereafter, but a series of squandered chances from new recruit Dominic Solanke and the rest of the Spurs’ forward line left Leicester in touch, allowing Vardy to pop up and spark a King Power Stadium party again.

There was a worrying moment late on as Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur appeared to be knocked out in a clash of heads. After several minutes of treatment, the Uruguayan was sitting up and talking in the Tottenham dressing room after being carried off on a stretcher, and will continue to be monitored in line with concussion protocols.

Re-live all the action from the King Power Stadium below:

Leicester vs Spurs LIVE

• Jamie Vardy’s header earns Leicester unlikely point against Tottenham

• FT: Leicester 1-1 Tottenham

• GOAL! LEICESTER 1-1 Tottenham (Jamie Vardy, 57 minutes)

• HT: Leicester 0-1 Tottenham

• GOAL! Leicester 0-1 TOTTENHAM (Pedro Porro, 29 minutes)

• KICK OFF!

Leicester City FC 1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur FC

Jamie Vardy channels Leicester’s title-winning magic to defy the odds again against Tottenham

22:22 , Richard Jolly at the King Power Stadium

There is still proof of Leicester’s penchant for the improbable and it comes in the inimitable figure of Jamie Vardy. His career has been an exercise in the remarkable, and equalising against a Tottenham team who had appeared utterly dominant ranks low in his list of unlikely feats. But as long as Leicester have the last remnant of their title-winning team, there is the sense they can conjure some of the spirit of 5000-1 outsiders.

And if those were scarcely the odds before Vardy levelled, Leicester’s return to the top flight, eight years after they won it, was shaping up as a chastening affair. For almost an hour, they were outclassed. But not, it transpired, out of the game.  Steve Cooper became the eighth Leicester manager to benefit from a Vardy goal, his own introduction to a new club smoothed by a man signed by Nigel Pearson.

Jamie Vardy channels Leicester’s title-winning magic to defy the odds again

And a disappointed Ange Postecoglou reacts to two points lost for Tottenham

22:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“A disappointing night for us,” the Spurs manager says to Sky Sports. “First half, excellent, we controlled the game but were wasteful in front of goal. Once Leicester scored, they lifted the crowd and we lost our composure.

“It’s an issue we had last year as well. We need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. When we are that dominant, we should be out of sight of the opposition, and we weren’t.

“We do everything to score goals, and we didn’t score goals. The dominance in the football is great, but if you don’t score goals, it’s meaningless. We’ve got to be stronger in our mindset in the final third. To be that wasteful tonight when he had that much dominance of the ball, it’s disappointing. To get results we need to be a lot more ruthless and clinical. If we aren’t, we won’t get the rewards we deserve. The responsibility is on me to try and provide solutions and platform the players to improve.”

Jamie Vardy reacts after Leicester pinch a point

22:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And here is Jamie Vardy, speaking to Sky Sports: “We just had a little chat between ourselves at half time. Tottenham are a really good team, but we probably gave them a bit too much respect and sat off a bit. At the start of the second half, we were on the front foot getting after them, and that’s what changed things.

“We were very calm. We’ll take the point and move on now. I was as fit as a fiddle until I got to about 65 minutes, to be honest. One of the Villarreal players tried putting my leg into Lake Geneva, there was bone-to-bone contact which irritated the knee. All you can do is let it settle down, so I waited as long as possible and managed to get four training sessions in.

“I wouldn’t say I’m doing anything different playing-wise. I’ve adapted a bit by dropping in and getting on the ball, but I’m looking after myself recovery-wise to the maximum. As long as I keep looking after myself and my legs still feel great, then I’ll carry on for as long as physically possible.”

FT: Leicester 1-1 Tottenham

22:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

71% possession for Spurs but a share of the points at the King Power Stadium, the visitors living to rue their wasting of a series of first-half chances as Jamie Vardy struck. How the striker has haunted Tottenham over the years - you always felt like an opportunity might just come his way the longer Leicester remained in it.

FULL TIME! Leicester 1-1 Tottenham

21:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 90 + 9 minutes

21:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And that was the chance! Richarlison gets the run beyond the Leicester defensive line but fails to get his header right, connecting too soon and sending the ball spinning into the rows of spectators beyond the Leicester goal.

That’ll be that!

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 90 + 8 minutes

21:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Cooper has rid himself of his jacket, the Leicester manager marching around his technical area as his side look to preserve their point. Wout Faes separates Djed Spence from the ball as the right-back attempts to advance into the Leicester box.

That’s a mistimed challenge from the big Belgian, though. Dejan Kulusevski is chopped down wide on the right to grant Tottenham a last chance.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 90 + 5 minutes

21:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dominic Solanke tries to send Werner hurrying on to a through ball but it’s too close to Mads Hermansen, who has had a very, very solid night in the Leicester goal.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 90 + 4 minutes

21:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Can either side find a late winner? Timo Werner shows off his trademark acceleration to keep a ball in up the right as Spurs work the corners, Djed Spence pushing up to support him.

Kasey McAteer does his defensive work diligently, though, and prevents Werner making progress as yet more time ticks by.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 90 + 1 minutes

21:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Almost a nightmare for Lucas Bergvall! The 18-year-old ventures down a blind alley and is soon mugged by a couple of Leicester forwwards, conceding possession in his own final third. An arriving Wilfred Ndidi draws a great save from Guglielmo Vicario, who makes his fury at Bergvall clear as he leaps to his feet.

Djed Spence finally takes the place of Pedro Porro, while Richarlison is also on for Heung-min Son.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 90 minutes

21:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It takes the Tottenham bench an age to ready a replacement for Pedro Porro, who is forced to take a throw-in even as he limps around with the gait of a octogenarian fresh from a hip replacement.

Nine added minutes after that long delay.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 88 minutes

21:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pedro Porro is hobbling around in real discomfort as his Tottenham teammates try, and fail, to breakdown the Leicester defensive structure.

Rodrigo Bentancur is up and talking, Sky Spors report, in better news for the Spurs bench.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 86 minutes

21:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

McAteer’s first involvement is almost perfect, beating Cristian Romero to a header and looping it back across goal. It threatens to dip beneath the crossbar as Guglielmo Vicario scrambles, but has just enough amplitude to clear the woodwork, much to the goalkeeper’s relief.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 85 minutes

21:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Change number three for Leicester: Bobby Decordova-Reid is replaced by Kasey McAteer.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 84 minutes

21:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That break, unfortunate though it was, seems to have done Tottenham some good. More pretty patterns around the Leicester box afford Bergvall a shooting chance, and his deflected effort loops into the hands of Mads Hermansen.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 83 minutes

21:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Intricate football from Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski very nearly sets up Dominic Solanke for a chance. Lucas Bergvall’s corner is relatively menacing, too, though it is a Leicester head that meets it.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 80 minutes

21:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

So a delay of just short of ten minutes, in all, after that Rodrigo Bentancur injury, setting up a 20-minute final stanza. Can Spurs reset? Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, both 18, now make-up their midfield two, with Dejan Kulusevski just off Dominic Solanke.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 79 minutes

21:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Cooper makes a double switch. Jamie Vardy departs with a word or seven for the Tottenham players and fans, ever competitive even with his night over. Facundo Buonanotte is also replaced: Boubakary Soumare and Stephy Mavididi bring fresh legs to the forward line.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 78 minutes

21:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Four Tottenham changes: Bentancur, Pape Sarr, James Maddison and Brennan Johnson are replaced by Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Dejan Kulusevski and Timo Werner.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 77 minutes

21:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bentancur is able to sit up with the help of the medical staff, and considers briefly getting to his feet, before being draped on a stretched and helped off. Tottenham will use a concussion substitute to replace the midfielder, as they are now empowered to in the laws. Leicester will get an extra change, too, with both managers waiting to use their benches.

An ovation as Bentancur departs.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 73 minutes

21:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Bentancur appeared to be knocked out in that clash with Abdul Fatawu. Let us hope he is alright, the medics understandably taking their time to attend to the Tottenham midfielder. It was here in 2023 that the Uruguayan tore his ACL - dreadful luck.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 71 minutes

21:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Oh no. A real worry at the other end as Rodrigo Bentancur falls horribly after a clash of heads in the Leicester box. The referee quickly halts proceedings as the medics bring on a stretcher.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 70 minutes

21:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Top stop! Facundo Buonanotte slots in Jamie Vardy, who has Pedro Porro beaten and advances on Guglilelmo Vicario’s goal. His left-footed shot is crisp and clean but kept out impressively by the Italian goalkeeper.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 65 minutes

21:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Come on you Spurs,” the travelling fans cry, perplexed at how their side have let the game slip. It may in fact be a QUADRUPLE change from Ange Postecoglou as he looks to restore order.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 65 minutes

21:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mulling to do for both managers. Ange Postecoglou has a chat with a member of his coaching staff, considering his options. Youngsters Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have impressed in preseason and may well soon make competitive debuts.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 63 minutes

21:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Spurs are then reliant on Cristian Romero to bail them out of danger after a brilliant ball from Victor Kristiansen bounces beautifully on Jamie Vardy’s chest. Romero manages to get his nose in - just...

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 61 minutes

21:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Suddenly, a Tottenham defence that had looked totally at ease are struggling for shape. Destiny Udogie gets himself in a pickle and seems to bring down Abdul Fatawu, but the penalty appeals from teh Leicester players are waved away.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham, 59 minutes

21:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This was always the danger for Spurs. Having been utterly dominant, they are now in a contest, Leicester swelling in size after their first shot on target found the back of the net.

GOAL! LEICESTER 1-1 Tottenham (Jamie Vardy, 57 minutes)

21:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It had to be him!

Half-fit, no preseason, barely a touch all night, but Jamie Vardy is back in the Premier League and back scoring goals!

Leicester build pressure for the first time, Victor Kristiansen’s cross whipped across the face of Guglielmo Vicario and kept alive by Abdul Fatawu. Fatawu has time to settle himself and pick out a vacant Vardy, who directs a clean header past Vicario. Remarkably, Leicester are level!

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 55 minutes

21:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A fine chance for 2-0! A delicate pass from Pape Sarr sends Dominic Solanke into the box, but the striker’s stiff shot is straight at Mads Hermansen.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 53 minutes

21:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That has just stirred the home crowd from their slumber. A crunching tackle from Jannik Vestergaard on Dominic Solanke also gets them going, while Heung-min Son is appropriately marshalled as he picks up the pieces.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 52 minutes

21:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Leicester’s brightest move of the match! The flag is up against Bobby Decordova-Reid but until he was slightly too eager in his sprint, it was immaculate passing football, the summer signing and Jamie Vardy combining effectively. Pape Sarr got back to block Decordova-Reid’s shot before the linesman intervened, but it’s a sign that Tottenham are far from safe just one ahead.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 50 minutes

21:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A useful intervention from Victor Kristiansen, stepping across James Maddison after some lovely football between the Tottenham midfielder and Pedro Porro.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 48 minutes

21:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There isn’t anything overly apparent in terms of tactical shifts from Leicester, the same 4-4-2 used out of possession with the hosts yet to touch the ball in the half.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 46 minutes

21:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

No immediate substitutions, the 22 men that started the game back out there for more.

Second half...

21:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just about a quarter of possession so far for the home side. Enzo Maresca-ball this is not, but Steve Cooper will surely remind his players that, despite their inferiority, it is only 1-0. Does the Leicester manager change the approach or personnel?

HT: Leicester 0-1 Tottenham

20:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

One-way traffic in Leicester, the hosts outplayed and outgunned by a Tottenham side who look like they mean business. James Maddison has sparkled on his return to the King Power Stadium, creating a hatful of chances, and Ange Postecoglou will be disappointed his side managed only Pedro Porro’s flicked finish in 45 minutes they totally controlled.

A difficult return to the top flight for Steve Cooper and his side so far, but they remain in touch.

HALF TIME: Leicester 0-1 Tottenham

20:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 45 minutes

20:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Just the one additional minute to be played.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 44 minutes

20:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Into the final few moments of the half, Tottenham’s back four having largely set up camp on the white line through the centre of the King Power Stadium surface.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 41 minutes

20:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Harry Winks overhits a diagonal dead ball, his free kick floaty and enveloped by Guglielmo Vicario in relative comfort. Jannik Vestergaard gives the goalkeeper a little nudge, frustrated not to have been found by his teammate.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 38 minutes

20:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Spurs’ midfield has functioned well so far. It might have been that Yves Bissouma would have been part of their defensive two if not for his off-field misdemeanours, but Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Sarr have offered good balance, both able to get forward and show passing range while maintaining their defensive discipline.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 36 minutes

20:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A half-chance for Bobby Decordova-Reid, latching on to a bouncing ball after Guglielmo Vicario had salmoned a header away some way off his line. The goal is left vacant as the Italian goalkeeper sprawls to the floor, but the Leicester forward can’t find it, slicing his effort closer to the corner.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 35 minutes

20:36 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Leicester can’t afford to simply fold here. They will have a bright period at some point, but a second or third Spurs goal before half time would surely leave them too much to do.

Leicester 0-1 Tottenham, 32 minutes

20:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Maddison has been outstanding so far. He’s looked at it from the word go against his former club, favouring the left and causing old colleagues all manner of problems. He very nearly creates a second soon after Pedro Porro’s opener, clipping to Brennan Johnson as the forward is left vacant at the far stick - and though the ball is dropping, Johnson might have liked to have hit his volleyed finish rather better.

GOAL! Leicester 0-1 TOTTENHAM (Pedro Porro, 29 minutes)

20:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But finally Tottenham have their goal!

To say it has been coming would be to understate Spurs’ command and class in this first 30 minutes. James Maddison is the architect, sketching from a withdrawn position on the inside left, and Pedro Porro follows the job through, the marauding right-back’s connection off his shoulder perhaps not as planned but good enough to ensure a devilish delivery ends up buried in the bottom corne.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 26 minutes

20:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The rain appears to have relented a touch, Victor Kristiansen’s blonde curtains drawn back towards the finials on either side of his forehead. The left-back is doing a decent enough job of combatting Brennan Johnson, but James Justin is struggling rather more with Heung-min Son and James Maddison on the opposite side.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 22 minutes

20:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Neat feet from Facundo Buonanotte, pivoting past a couple of Tottenham midfielders. His work thereafter is rather less tidy, scudding a pass out of play with Bobby Decordova-Reid unable to retrieve it.

Still, that little glimpse from the Brighton loanee will please Steve Cooper, who hasn’t had much to get excited about so far.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 20 minutes

20:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dominic Solanke goes down under contact from Jannik Vestergaard and immediately swings his head in the direction of referee Chris Kavanagh, who wags a disapproving finger at the striker’s appeal. Vestergaard hadn’t managed to take a piece of the ball but VAR clears his challenge quickly, agreeing with the on-field official’s call without need for further investigation.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 18 minutes

20:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The respite is, as expected, temporary, and Brennan Johnson soon gives the big boys at the back reason to bundle into the box, winning a corner down the right. It’s half-cleared to Heung-min Son, who earns another set piece with a deflected drive.

Seven corners, so far, for the visitors. Son rather wastes the next of them after it has been played short.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 16 minutes

20:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s more like it from Steve Cooper’s side, Abdul Fatawu jinking nicely and then finding an elegant pass out to the opposite wing. Bobby Decordova-Reid can’t make much progress beyond 30 yards from the Tottenham goal, but that is about as far forward as they have ventured so far.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 15 minutes

20:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It is chucking it down in Leicester, which has slickened the surface in a manner which seems to be suiting Spurs. The hosts have been profligate each time they’ve had possession, allowing their opponents the chance to regather it a little too easily.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 13 minutes

20:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

How much longer will the ramparts hold, though? Tottenham continue to bombard the Leicester box, Dominic Solanke just squeezed out before directing another dangerous Pedro Porro cross into Mads Hermansen’s midriff.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 12 minutes

20:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A Leicester head flicks on James Maddison’s next inswinger. Across the midfielder trots to take from the other side, teeing up Pedro Porro short.

Porro’s whip hits the forehead of Cristian Romero, standing tall under pressure, but the Argentine can’t find the target. Spurs are laying siege but the castle walls are yet to be breached.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 11 minutes

20:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This is an excellent start though from Tottenham, Maddison zippy, Heung-min Son ever a threat. The pair draw another corner with some neat passing and interchanging down the left.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 8 minutes

20:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More chances for Spurs. James Maddison tests the palms of Mads Hermansen soon after that Bentancur header, before a stooping Dominic Solanke gets his head to a floated cross to the far post. Could Solanke have gone for it with his foot? His goalwards nod has nothing like the requisite power to test Hermansen.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 6 minutes

20:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A remarkable clearance from Wilfred Ndidi! Rodrigo Bentancur flicks with menace across the face of goal as James Maddison gets his delivery spot on, and the midfielder’s header appears destined for the embrace of the net mesh inside Mads Hermansen’s left-hand post. But a leaping Ndidi acrobatically tonks the ball away, hurling himself towards his own line and hooking a vital swinging limb beneath it.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 5 minutes

20:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Spurs strum the ball about with pace and poise, settling into possession for the first time. Leicester seem happy enough to cede control of the ball, two blue banks of four behind the ball.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 3 minutes

20:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Facundo Buonanotte is playing just off Jamie Vardy, pushing up alongside the striker in Leicester’s defensive shape.

Dominic Solanke earns a free kick out of Jannik Vestergaard, the tall Dane bumping the new Spurs recruit in the back. Tottenham soon earn the game’s first corner, which James Madidson saunters over to take to a mixed reception.

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham, 2 minutes

20:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jamie Vardy’s 37-year-old legs look sharp enough as he threatens the Tottenham back four for the first time, and the striker has enough energy to press high up the field, too. A bit of a grimace, seemingly, with the Leicester captain not close to full fitness, but having been ruled out by his manager last week, it’s a real boost for Vardy to be available.

KICK OFF!

20:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Leicester in blue, Tottenham in white - we are underway at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester vs Tottenham

20:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

After that touching tribute, on to the football. One game left in the opening Premier League weekend - Dominic Solanke will take the opening kick off on Tottenham debut.

Leicester vs Tottenham

20:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Long-time friend Nigel Pearson and several members of Craig Shakespeare’s family are in the stands, watching on as the stadium pays tribute to the former Leicester manager with an impeccably observed minute of applause. Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy and James Maddison all laid flowers ahead of kick off in Shakespeare’s memory.

Leicester vs Tottenham

19:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Out the players come, the King Power Stadium full to the rafters for Leicester’s Premier League return.

Leicester vs Tottenham

19:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Oliver Skipp was not registered in time to be involved tonight, but is on the Leicester bench ahead of kick off, having a natter with new colleague Conor Coady.

Leicester vs Tottenham

19:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kick off is rapidly approaching at the King Power Stadium. Everything has gone (largely) to form so far on this opening weekend, the presumed favourites getting the job done and a sole draw between Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth. Can Leicester be the first real disruptors of the campaign?

Leicester vs Tottenham

19:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Leicester will also be paying tribute to the late Craig Shakespeare tonight after his passing at the end of July. The experienced coach was a vital part of the set-up that guided the club to the Premier League title in 2016 before stepping up to the top role a year later - an exceptionally popular figure, he will be much missed.

Leicester vs Tottenham

19:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’ll be equally intriguing to see how this Leicester back four shapes up. It’s high on pedigree: James Justin won his only England cap so far two years ago, Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard were Euro 2024 starters for Belgium and Denmark, and Viktor Kristiansen was a key cog for Bologna on loan last season as he helped the Italian club into the Champions League for the first time.

Steve Cooper seems likely favour a different approach to the possession-based style that Enzo Maresca utilised in the Championship last season, which will provide alternative challenges for the squad. It’s been a tough preseason for Cooper’s side but you’d expect them to up the intensity tonight.

Leicester vs Tottenham

19:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It felt strange that in a season in which Tottenham perhaps struggled as a collective defensively, many of Spurs’ standout individual performers last year were in their back five. A key for Ange Postecoglou this season will be making sure that this unit of Guglielmo Vicario, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie start together as much as possible - they really did look a different side when they had that settled quintet fit and firing.

“Keeping them all fit will help,” Postecoglou tells Sky Sports of how he can make defensive improvements this season. “Our record when they were all playing was really good, but we suffered when we didn’t have them. It’s fair to say that we didn’t have a strong enough squad last season. I know when they are out there playing and fit, those issues won’t be as prevalent for us.”

James Maddison returns to Leicester

19:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Maddison returns to the King Power Stadium tonight having left Leicester for Tottenham after their relegation to the Championship last summer.

A bright start to life in London gave way to a frustrating end to the season that saw the creative midfielder struggle for fitness and form, and Maddison was eventually left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.

The emergence of youngster Lucas Bergvall and presence of Dejan Kulusevski, perhaps a better fit in a central role in Ange Postecoglou’s system, means that the 27-year-old is not necessarily a certain Spurs starter this season.

But Postecoglou has backed Maddison to bounce back: “The good thing is he’s fit and he’s laid himself a good opportunity and foundation to have another strong season.

“The disappointment of say missing the Euros, well that’s just again part of being a footballer. We take all the good stuff, but you have setbacks and it’s how you react to those.

“I’m sure he’ll want to sort of go out there and get himself back into the international frame and get back playing for England.”

Steve Cooper relishing Premier League return

19:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Cooper is relishing his Premier League return as his Leicester reign begins against Tottenham on Monday.

Cooper is back in the top flight nine months after his sacking at Nottingham Forest, and tonight’s visit of Spurs provides a bit of symmetry for Cooper: it was a 2-0 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side in December which proved his final game in charge of Forest.

“I can’t wait to get back,” Cooper said at his pre-match press conference. “I think about the organisation and not myself. It’s always the club first.

“I missed the Premier League, there’s no doubt about that. I didn’t use the time to down tools. That was the last thing I wanted. I tried to use the time wisely to prepare for the next role.

“It’s an exciting challenge here. It’s been a good pre-season while transitioning to being a Premier League team again.”

Jamie Vardy starts for Leicester

18:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

So a surprise start for Jamie Vardy, with Steve Cooper indicating that his captain might not have been able to feature had this game been on Saturday or Sunday. With Patson Daka out, Leicester did not have a senior alternative striking option in their squad - but just how fit is the veteran centre forward?

Team news - Tottenham

18:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Dominic Solanke is straight in from the start on his Tottenham Hotspur debut, in an otherwise familiar-looking Spurs side.

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Sarr; Johnson, Maddison, Son; Solanke.

Team news - Leicester

18:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A curveball from Leicester: Jamie Vardy is fit to start and captains the home side up front. New addition Bobby Decordova-Reid joins him in the front three.

Leicester XI: Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi, Buonanotte; Decordova-Reid, Vardy, Fatawu.

Team news on the way...

18:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hopefully we are now all getting used to these slightly earlier team announcements, the Premier League kindly affording us 15 minutes extra to acquaint ourselves with the line-ups this season. Will Dominic Solanke be an immediate starter for Spurs? How will Steve Cooper assemble his forward line in the absence of Patson Daka and Jamie Vardy? We’re not far away from finding out...

Oliver Skipp completes move from Tottenham to Leicester

18:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

He won’t be available for Leicester tonight, but the club have confirmed the completion of their deal to sign Oliver Skipp from Spurs. Skipp will reunite with Harry Winks at the King Power Stadium as two graduates of Tottenham’s academy who never quite delivered on early promise shown at the club, but both feel like shrewd (if samey) signings in consecutive summers for a club seeking to secure their Premier League status.

Match facts

18:15 , Chris Wilson

Overall, this fixture has produced 128 goals in 34 Premier League meetings, giving it the highest average goals per game of any Premier League fixture to have been played more than 20 times – 3.76.

Leicester’s 13 wins against Spurs is their joint-most Premier League victories over one team, and the Foxes are unbeaten in their past five opening day fixtures (W3, D2).

New manager Steve Cooper’s last Premier League game in charge of a club was Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 defeat by Spurs in December last year.

Meanwhile, Spurs have lost just one of their past eight opening Premier League matches (W5, D2) – a 1-0 defeat by Everton in 2020. Spurs were top of the Premier League after 10 games last year, taking 26 points from a possible 30.

Ange Postecoglou’s side won maximum points against the three promoted sides last term, but they won just three of their final 13 league away games last season (D4, L6).

Son Heung-min has nine goals and four assists in 14 matches against Leicester, while Solanke could become the first player to score on his Premier League debut for Spurs since Steven Bergwijn against Manchester City in 2020.

Head-to-head

18:00 , Chris Wilson

Tonight will be the 121st meeting between these two sides, with the first dating back to 1914. Spurs have won 61 overall, with 21 ending as draws and 38 ending in a Leicester victory.

The two sides last met in the 2022/23 Premier League season, and though Leicester were relegated that season, the Foxes escaped with a 4-1 home win in their home match against Spurs.

Spurs have won seven of their last 10 matches against Leicester, including a 6-2 win the last time they played the Foxes at home, and a famous 3-2 win in January 2022 courtesy of late goals from Steven Bergwijn.

The last two matches between these sides have produced 28 goals, so we could be in for a cracker tonight.

WATCH: Spurs’ Postecoglou insists player controversy won’t impact Leicester clash

17:45 , Chris Wilson

Ange Postecoglou has insisted he is moving on after Tottenham Hostpur suspended Yves Bissouma for their Premier League game at Leicester City on Monday, 19 August, after footage emerged appearing to show the midfielder inhaling laughing gas.

When asked if the timing of the suspension would affect the club, the Spurs boss told reporters on Sunday: “You would be surprised what you have to deal with as a manager.

“I make decisions accordingly and move on really quickly to what’s really important, and what’s really important is that we’ve got a game Monday night.”

Spurs’ Postecoglou insists player controversy won’t impact Leicester clash

Ange Postecoglou: James Maddison is really determined to have big season

17:30 , Chris Wilson

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou can sense James Maddison’s determination to have a big season after his Euro 2024 disappointment.

Maddison was left out of the England squad after struggling for fitness and form during the second half of last campaign.

Given Maddison had been one of the form players in the Premier League before an ankle injury in November, his omission was a surprise, but Monday presents him with the perfect chance to respond.

Ange Postecoglou: James Maddison is really determined to have big season

Leicester vs Spurs LIVE

14:01 , Chris Wilson

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur!

The Foxes begin their latest Premier League journey as they battle for top-flight survival, while Spurs look to build on the positives of Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge.

We’ll have all the build-up, team news and updates as they come in.