Tottenham right down to 10 males however main Qarabag in Europa League – observe reside
Tottenham Hotspur begin their Europa League campaign against Qarabag as Ange Postecoglou’s side return to European competition, but kick-off in north London was delayed due to “severe travel disruption” in the capital. Tonight’s visitors Qarabag were late arriving to the ground due to traffic, with kick-off pushed back to 8:35pm as a result.
Spurs were not involved in Europe last season and missed out on Champions League qualification in Postecoglou’s first campaign in charge. The Australian has set his sights on winning a trophy in his second season at Spurs, and the Europa League is a real opportunity for Tottenham to end their wait for silverware – but the club previously struggled in Europe under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
Qarabag, the champions of Azerbaijan, are Tottenham’s first test under the new Europa League format. Follow live updates from Tottenham vs Qarabag in our live blog below
Tottenham 2-0 Qarabag
64 mins: POST! It’s 10pm… but it’s crazy from Tottenham. Now Juninho strikes the post for Qarabag, although Vicario may have had it covered. It’s breathless. Tottenham are just refusing to try and shut the game down.
Tottenham 2-0 Qarabag
58 mins: This is CHAOS! What are Tottenham doing?! Immediately from the restart, Tottenham play it out from the back and give it away, leading to a shot on goal that Vicario saves.
Then suddenly Tottenham are breaking, but Solanke can’t convert!
It’s end to end!
MISSED PENALTY! Tottenham 2-0 Qarabag
WHAT A MISS! Let off for Spurs! Toral Bayramov blasts it over the bar!
PENALTY! Tottenham 2-0 Qarabag
Now then… Qarabag have a penalty, out of nowhere! Bissouma gets caught and brings down Elvin Jafarguliyev in the box – he just kicked him, but Jafarguliyev made the most of the contact. VAR checks but gives it.
GOAL! Tottenham 2-0 Qarabag (SARR 52’)
Tottenham double their lead and it’s Pape Matar Sarr with his first of the season! It’s what Tottenham deserve too after a bright start to the second half, and comes from a corner following their sustained pressure.
From the corner, the Qarabag keeper comes flapping. Sarr hangs around at the back post and directs his volley on target. There’s a defender on the line but Sarr finds enough power to force it over.
What a relief for Spurs.
Tottenham 1-0 Qarabag
47 mins: The break looks to have helped Spurs. There is more intent to their play at the start of the second half, with Son almost finding Solanke and then Gray almost threading a cross into the box. But the hosts have come out and taken control, after Qarabag had a good spell before half time.
BACK UNDERWAY! Tottenham 1-0 Qarabag
And a change for Spurs at the break! Goalscorer Johnson goes off and is replaced by Dejan Kulusevski.
We’re off.
HALF TIME! Tottenham 1-0 Qarabag
And that’s half time! Tottenham lead thanks to Johnson’s first-time strike, which came after Dragusin’s red card. Spurs did pretty well when down to 10 men, but Qarabag came back into it near the end of the half, which comes at a good time for the hosts. They need to regroup during the break.
Tottenham 1-0 Qarabag
45+1 mins: What a challenge! It was almost disaster for Spurs on the stroke of half time. Davies lost the ball to Juninho but Vicario rushed out and made the tackle. That could have been a goal, or another red card, but the Italian’s timing was perfect.
Tottenham 1-0 Qarabag
43 mins: More chances for Qarabag, with Tottenham clinging on until half time now. Van de Ven makes an important header, throwing himself at the ball, as the shot is finally dragged wide and Tottenham can clear.
