This tense victory over AZ Alkmaar was not without complications for Tottenham, who were a long way below their pulsating best on a night when Timo Werner’s crisis of confidence reached new depths, but Ange Postecoglou could still find positives in a clean sheet, a fearless second-half display from young Mikey Moore and James Maddison’s selflessness giving Richarlison the chance to score a goal for the first time since May.
It was certainly a curious scene after Lucas Bergvall won the penalty that decided the game shortly after half-time. Richarlison was quick to arrive and snatch the ball, only to be persuaded to hand it over to Maddison. The pecking order, it seemed, would be respected. It was only when it occurred to Maddison that Richarlison, starting for the first time in almost six months, would benefit more from the confidence boost of a rare goal that he decided to give the ball back to the Brazil striker.
“I thought it would be best if he took it,” said Maddison, showing the leadership that comes with wearing the captain’s armband, and Spurs would do enough to maintain their perfect start to their Europa League campaign once Richarlison had converted from 12 yards.
“We had to do a little bit of everything today,” Postecoglou said. “It’s not easy when I’m making changes to the team. It disrupts the flow.” Some of the understudies did not quite do themselves justice, with Werner removed at half-time after again finding new and interesting ways not to score, but Moore could be pleased with his efforts.
The 17-year-old, who was making his first start at home, showed character to recover from a glaring early miss and his captivating wing play would even draw Maddison to compare the youngster to Neymar. “He was exciting, there’s no point denying it,” Postecoglou said. “I love the way Mikey is taking it in his stride, working hard every day, wanting to develop. It would be easy for a young guy like him to feel like he’s made it but I never get that sense. I don’t think what Madders said will affect him.”
Postecoglou would also reserve praise for Fraser Forster, who frustrated AZ with some important saves, and he insisted that he will not give up on Werner. It had been a trying outing for the Germany forward, who blazed one shot over and rolled another straight at Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro after being released by the promising Bergvall, and he could not complain about not making it out for the second half.
Spurs, aggrieved not to be given a penalty when Alexandre Penetra’s challenge drew a theatrical fall from Maddison, were uneven before the break. AZ threatened when Denso Kasius, who had come on for the injured Ruben van Bommel, delivered a dangerous cross from the right. Troy Parrott, warmly applauded on his return to his former club, could not stretch far enough at the far post, but Spurs were inviting pressure. Ernest Poku caused problems on the left and Penetra’s header tested Forster.
Spurs needed more intensity. Postecoglou reacted, Johnson replacing Werner, and there was an instant improvement. Johnson had a shot blocked and Moore, having switched to the left, began to worry AZ with his winding runs.
There was a different feel and the breakthrough was on the cards when Rodrigo Bentancur picked out Maddison. The ball got away from the playmaker but it ran to Bergvall, whose presence was enough to panic Maxim Dekker into clumsily giving away a spot-kick with a desperate tackle on the midfielder.
It was a clear penalty, although less obvious was who would take it. Richarlison eventually stepped up, finishing nervelessly, and Spurs would take another step towards securing their place in the knockout phase.