Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 win over MS Mura like a four act play

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Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur scores their side's first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa Conference League group G match between Tottenham Hotspur and NS Mura at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 30, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur scores their side’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Europa Conference League group G match between Tottenham Hotspur and NS Mura at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 30, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Tottenham Hotspur got their first regulation win in a month with a 5-1 roasting of MS Mura in the Europa Conference League. Despite the lopsided scoreline, the game was closer than many Spurs fans would have liked and followed a four-act script.

Act 1: Moment too big for Mura

Despite playing 20 European matches in their nine years as a club before Thursday, as the Slovenian champions faced Tottenham Hotspur, it was only the team’s second group stage match. Facing a team light on experience, playing in a qazi-hostile environment Spurs jumped on Mura early.

It was less than three minutes into the game and some fortunate bounces had Tottenham in the driver seat.

Bryan Gil had a bad touch but the subsequent touch from Mura was poor popping the ball out to Giovani Lo Celso. As he did all evening, Lo Celso was in the right place and made the right play. A quick first-time ball into the path of teenager Dane Scarlett had Spurs running toward the goal.

Scarlett had a solid first touch but as was the case most of the night, there was a Mura defender ready to tackle and poked the ball away. Fortunately for Tottenham and unfortunately for Mura that tackle popped the ball up in front of a charging Dele Alli.

Dele may or may not have made contact with the ball but there is absolutely no doubting that Marko Obradovic made contact with Dele, bringing down Spurs attacker for an early penalty. Dele put the subsequent penalty away with aplomb and Tottenham was off and running.

Tottenham had the early lead without even 5 minutes gone and with blood in the water, Spurs continued to push. Mura had tried to clear the ball but Harry WInks was able to control the ball and then pump it forward toward several Spurs.

Lo Celso took control of Wink’s pass, turned the corner, and showed some burst as suddenly the Argentine was behind the defender. A powerful left-footed finish later and Spurs were up 2-0 with not even 10 minutes gone in the match.

It looked like Spurs were going to run away with things, however, the plot changed only minutes after Spurs took the two-goal lead.