Tottenham’s defeat at Leeds on Saturday afternoon was a frustrating end to what had been a positive month.

Spurs were arguably the better side in the first half, but a lack of quality in key moments and a flat display after the break meant they left Elland Road empty-handed.

A lot of the attention may be on the fact that Jayden Bogle could have been sent off in the first half, but wasn’t.

But ultimately, Tottenham were not good enough to get anything from this game and the refereeing shouldn’t act as an excuse for that.

Three issues stood out.

1. Poor decision-making in the final third

Spurs had opportunities to make their first-half pressure count, with both Omar Marmoush and Mohammed Kudus finding themselves in promising positions.

On both occasions, however, they opted to shoot rather than pick out a teammate who was better placed.

Neither opportunity was necessarily a gilt-edged chance, but that was precisely the point: Tottenham needed to make the right decision and create a clearer opening.

They were arguably the better team during the first half, and taking one of those opportunities could have changed the complexion of the contest. Instead, a lack of incision in the final third let Leeds off the hook.

2. Tottenham failed to control the midfield

Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes have been exceptional in recent weeks, but neither was able to exert the same influence at Leeds.

The pair never really got a foothold in the game or established the control that has been such an important part of Tottenham’s recent improvement.

The midfield balance also looked less fluent with Archie Gray alongside them.

That is not a criticism of Gray, who continued to work tirelessly, but the combination did not click in the way Spurs have managed in recent matches.

There was a noticeable improvement when Rodrigo Bentancur came on, bringing greater composure and helping Tottenham look more assured in possession.

It was a reminder of how important the midfield balance is to this side.

3. A flat second-half performance

Roberto De Zerbi will be particularly disappointed by the way Tottenham emerged after half-time.

Leeds looked the hungrier side, seized the momentum early in the second half and made it difficult for Spurs to regain any sort of foothold.

Tottenham lacked urgency, energy and application after the break.

It was a collective failure to match the intensity of the occasion, and a significant backward step after a month that had offered plenty of encouragement.

An away day at Leeds is never straightforward, but the manner of this performance will concern De Zerbi far more than the result alone.