On Thursday evening, Spurs welcomed Dutch side AZ Alkmaar to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the second leg of the Europa League round of 16 tie. Ange's side came into the game with a 1-0 deficit following the first leg in the Netherlands.
For the task at hand, the Australian went with an XI of; Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Spence; Bergvall, Sarr, Maddison; Odobert, Solanke, Son.
OneFootball Videos
How things went at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday evening
After absolutely nothing happened for 25 minutes, Spurs took the lead out of nowhere. After a stray pass from Alkmaar, superb pressing from Son in the corner won the ball back, deflecting to Solanke who drove forward, before having the presence of mind to play the ball across to Odobert - whom absolutely smashed the ball into the back of the net.
For the remainder of the half, Spurs had opportunities, though mostly in the form of half chances. Son made a run into the box, but his effort from an angle was blocked - before Bergvall fired the ball over the bar. A few minutes later, Son had an effort blocked, before Odobert could not get control of the rebound, before firing over.
That would be that for the first half, and the sides went into the break with Spurs 1-0 up on the night, and the tie finely poised at 1-1 on aggregate.
Two and a half minutes into the second half, Spurs went two goals ahead on the night, and one goal ahead on aggregate. After a good tackle from Porro, Odobert carried the ball forward before finding Maddison. Then, he found Son, whom cut inside and looked like he was going to shoot, but instead laid the ball back to Maddison, whom fired the ball into the back of the net. A great goal.
Just a minute or so later, the ball fell to former Spurs academy player Troy Parrott inside the penalty area, but he could not sort his feet out, and therefore did not cause any trouble with his effort/
After 51 minutes, Spurs could have had a third. Romero fizzed a ball into Sarr, who found Son. From there, the skipper played a lovely one two with Son, but he just dribbled the ball out of play inside the six yard box. Great move though.
Five minutes later, Ernest Poku sped down the right for the visitors, and looked to be bearing down on goal, but van de Ven did incredibly well to get back in and win the ball. He would have almost certainly had a free shot at goal if the Dutchman was not playing. Spurs could not get the ball clear, and Bergvall had to make an intervention to put it behind for a corner.
Ironically after that last paragraph, van de Ven was replaced by Gray on the hour mark. You assume, and hope, it was to be sensible with his minutes. With half an hour in the game against Bournemouth, that is now a full 90 completed for the 23-year old.
Out of nowhere, the visitors equalised a couple of minutes later. Absolutely out of nowhere. Odobert and Bergvall appeared to get in each other's way, and the ball fell to Peer Koopmeiners, who fired the ball into the bottom corner.
Midway through the second half, Spence laid the ball off for Maddison, whom cut inside and fired an effort just over the bar. The stadium was beginning to feel more and more anxious.
Then, after 74 mins, Spurs had a third. AZ were pressing Spurs high up the pitch - Spence played the ball to Maddison, who feigned playing it back, and instead turned into space in the middle of the pitch. From there, he found Spence, who played the ball to Son. Then, the skipper flicked it back to Spence, who overlapped and crossed it in. From there, Solake flicked the ball to the back post, where Odobert was there to tap the ball home for his second of the night. Sublime.
With 13 minutes remaining, Maddison and Odobert made way for Bissouma and Johnson. Let it be said, Maddison was absolutely sublime. The turn for the third goal was just incredible. It will be interesting to see whether or not he makes the England squad tomorrow/
Two minutes later, Alkmaar so nearly levelled the tie. Parrott had so much space in the box to shoot, his shot was saved, and Bissouma blocked the follow up. Vicario likely would have saved it anyway, but good defending from the substitute anyway. Vicario then came out and claimed the subsequent corner well.
With eight minutes remaining, the visitors had another good chance, but Meek Meerdink headed over from close range. Had he left the ball for Parrott, the striker may have scored himself. Soon after, Davies replaced Bergvall, who had some cramp.
That would be that. Spurs won 3-1 on the night, and 3-2 on aggregate. There were some nervy moments, a self inclicted goal conceded, and a couple of late opposition chances. But overall, it was just about deserved you would say. All about results now regardless. Onto the quarter-finals.
View publisher imprint