As it happened: Tottenham maintain perfect Europa League start ...

25 Oct 2024

The Sydney Morning Herald

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As it happened Tottenham maintain perfect Europa League start

A Richarlison penalty after half-time was the difference on a hit-and-miss night at home for Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs.

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Full-time! Tottenham 1-0 Alkmaar

AZ gave a good account of themselves here, but it’s Richarlison’s penalty that separates the sides. It’s enough for Postecoglou’s Spurs to maintain their 100 per cent record, with three from three in the league phase of the Europa League. This match was far from a perfect performance for the hosts, but Moore will no doubt be the standout story, and is sure to give Ange some thinking to do on the Premier League front. Thanks for joining us this morning.

Lovely build-up

Udogie and Kulusevski combine before Udogie runs back onto the ball inside the box. He sticks out a toe as his body falls forward and to the grass. The VAR checks for a possible penalty but the referee ultimately blows to play on

Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, 90+2 minutes

This would be the time to double the lead

A numerical advantage approaching injury-time is ideal. Spurs have an additional three minutes to do that, and Alkmaar have three minutes to chase an equaliser.

Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, 90+1 minutes

Moore is subbed off to applause

He finished his shift with a cut-in and shoot that was easily gathered by the goalkeeper but also another example of this guy’s pretty big future.

Kulusevski has a shot, too, instead of passing. And he too does not evade Owusu-Oduro.

Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, 88th minute

Red card for Alkmaar

Scenes as David Møller Wolfe is shown his second yellow by the referee for a tackle on Johnson that was something but did not seem overly terrible. Anyway, he is given his marching orders for the second time in as many games.

Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, 85th minute

Fenerbahce have equalised against Man United

En-Nesyri is on the scoresheet after skipping past Martinez and Lindelof, who did not appear to be conscious let alone defending. So the score is 1-1 in Istanbul.

Spurs need another goal

If they want to put this one to bed, because Alkmaar have not stopped coming. Forster makes a save well off his line in perhaps their best opening of the night, after Lahdo is released through midfield by Parrott.

It comes as Bergvall leaves the field with what appears to be a groin problem. He is replaced by Sarr. Maddison also takes his leave and Kulusevski runs on for him. What can Kulusevski do in these last 15 minutes?

Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, 75th minute

Moore’s silky skills

Mikey Moore has brought the stadium back to life

The teenager is a changed man since the start of the second half and looks far more comfortable on the left, where he’s been wreaking havoc for the past 20 minutes.

Richarlison, who is just back from injury, takes his leave and is replaced by Solanke.

Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, 64th minute

Bentacur saves Spurs’ blushes

Well, Dragusin’s specifically. He lost possession and Poku shot right past him, until Bentacur intervened at the last moment. That was a close call. But Spurs attacks are coming thick and fast.

Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, 59th minute