Spurs slip up at death as Mats Hummels salvages point for Roma

Mats Hummels was on hand to mark his full Roma debut with a goal, as Claudio Ranieri’s side twice came from behind to deny Spurs a UEFA Europa League victory in a 2-2 draw in an end-to-end clash in north London.

The hosts made the best possible start, with Son Heung-min scoring from the penalty spot after VAR had got involved to award a penalty for a foul on Pape Sarr, only for Evan Ndicka to equalise when he flicked home Paulo Dybala’s free-kick.

Stephan El Shaarawy then had a goal ruled out for offside, before Ange Postecoglou’s side retook the lead through Brennan Johnson’s cool finish.

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Roma started strongly after the break and had two goals ruled out for offside, while Angelino clattered the bar with a volley, a feat mirrored by Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke at the other end.

The chances looked to have fizzled out, until Hummels popped up in injury time to poke home from Angelino’s cross.

Talking Point - From villain to hero

There are few defenders in European football who are as experienced as 35-year-old Mats Hummels.

The former Borussia Dortmund centre-back was making his first start for Roma, and he did not introduce himself to the fans in a particularly good way, as he gifted Spurs a penalty in the opening few minutes.

From then on, though, he was near faultless, and was in the right place at the right time to stab home the equaliser at the death, atoning for his earlier error.

Player of the Match

Dejan Kulusevski (Spurs). The Swede was at the heart of nearly every Spurs attack, as he caused Roma no end of problems.

His ability to drop into space made him a constant outlet, and he regularly breezed past his man to create an end product, be it a shot or cross.

In the end, Kulusevski failed to get himself on the scoresheet, but he was unlucky not to do so, hitting the post and continuing his fine season.

Player Ratings

SPURS: Forster 7; Porro 7, Dragusin 6, Davies 7, Gray 6; Sarr 7, Bentancur 6, Kulusevski 8; Son 7, Solanke 6, Johnson 7. Subs: Maddison 6, Bissouma 6, Werner n/a, Bergvall n/a

ROMA: Svilar 6; Mancini 6, Hummels 7, Ndicka 7; Celik 6, Paredes 7, Kone 6, Angelino 6; Dybala 8, Dovbyk 7, El Shaarawy 7. Subs: Soule 6, Zalewski 6, Saelemaekers 6

Key Moments

Key Stats

Spurs see a run of eight successive home victories in the Europa League, dating back to 2016, come to an end

Roma have now gone 14 away games without a win, a run dating back to April

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