Andros Townsend Makes A Difference For Tottenham In Europa League

Andros Townsend celebrated his call up to the England squad with a goal and an assist as Tottenham took a two goal interval lead at Asteras Tripolis. Spurs held on to record their first win in Greece but had Federico Fazio sent off in the final minute as he conceded a penalty.

Asteras Tripolis 1  Tottenham Hotspur 2

Scorers: Barrales    Townsend (pen), Kane

Team: Vorm, Dier, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Dembele, Stambouli; Eriksen (Mason), Lamela (Soldado), Townsend; Kane (Paulinho)  Subs: (unused) McGee, Chiriches, Rose, Chadli

Even though Tottenham registered a 5 – 1 home win over Asteras Tropolis a fortnight ago, Mauricio Pochettino selected a strong team for Spurs Europa League return match in Greece. Michel Vorm, making his European debut for Spurs replaced the suspended Hugo Lloris with Eric Dier and Ben Davies returning at full-back. Federico Fazio partnered Jan Vertonghen in central defence. Mousa Dembele and Benji Stambouli claimed the defensive midfield role while Andros Townsend, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela took on the creative duties behind Harry Kane. Young goalkeeper, 19-year-old Luke McGee is among the substitutes.

This team selection could possibly give an indication of which players will and won’t be in the side on Sunday for the Premier League game against Stoke City.

In a low-key first half Tottenham had all the possession and kept Asteras penned back in their own half. The first attempt on goal was a shot from Vertonghen who was captain on the night. He carried the ball forward from his own half and shot high and wide from 35 yards. A minute later, Andros Townsend put in a cross from the right which the goalkeeper spilled but there was no-one there to take advantage.

The first moment of concern for Spurs came in the 12th minute when Asreras broke from their own half with a superb cross-field pass from right to left but Dier managed to get back and put the ball out for a corner.

A run into the area by Davies ended when he went down looking for a penalty but the referee showed no interest. Asteras broke quickly after a Tottenham corner but Davies made a crucial interception as the home side looked set to put a player behind the defence in the 16th minute.

A shot by Lamela was held by the goalkeeper but Spurs created no clear openings as the attacking midfielders, Lamela, Eriksen and Townsend, were closed down quickly.

The breakthrough came after 36 minutes. Andros Townsend had switched to the left and took the ball into the area and was brought down. He immediately got up and claimed the ball to take the penalty. His confidence was not misplaces as he powered his shot to the goalkeeper’s left to put Spurs ahead.

In the 42nd minute, Dembele played the ball to Townsend, still on the left. He beat his man and delivered a perfect cross onto the head of Harry Kane for Spurs second.

In the final minute of the half Dier played a low cross to Kane but with an open goal, he hit the bar. Kane’s blushes were saved as he was adjudged off-side.

Asteras Tripolis started the second half with desire and spurned four good scoring chances in the opening 7 minutes of the half. Two of those came immediately after the restart but on each occasion Asteras failed to get their shot on target. Spurs defending was poor and their only response to this opening surge from the home side was a shot by Eriksen which was held by the goalkeeper.

Having been in a position of comfort, Tottenham now found themselves in danger of losing their advantage as Asteras continued to press, getting the ball forward much more quickly and directly.

Gradually, Spurs looked to have regained some composure as Soldado had a shot blocked in the 53rd minute. On the hour, Kane’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected, giving the goalkeeper an easy save.

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Into the final half an hour and Michel Vorm was called into action for the first time, saving a low header. Asteras then had a powerful shot hit the post with Vorm beaten. Tottenham were looking to close the game down but Asteras looked threatening every time they went forward. Vorm again saved a shot from close range and reacted to save a deflected shot with 4 minutes to play.

As they had done in both games, Asteras troubled Spurs with a ball over the top of the defence. They had a number of chances at White Hart Lane and their goal had come from such a situation when Hugo Lloris brought down the player through on goal. In the final minute, Fazio was caught out and paid the penalty, bringing down Barrales in the area. Fazio was dismissed for the second time in his short Tottenham career and as at the Lane, Barrales scored. His penalty went straight down the middle as Vorm dived to his left.

In added time Asteras had a header past the post but Spurs survived to record their first win in Greece in a European competition and inflict Asteras first home defeat in Europe.

Tottenham and Besiktas remain equal at the top of the Group with 8 points from 4 games and identical records. A home win over Partizan Belgrade will secure Spurs qualification to the knock-out stages.

Tottenham can be grateful for Andros Townsend’s contribution in the first half and Harry Kane’s continued goal threat. In the final minutes, after Kane was substituted, Spurs lacked any threat on goal.