Tottenham made it to Europa League after a comfortable win


Tottenham ensured they qualified for the Europa League with a comfortable 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League at Wembley.

 The result, which should have been even more one-sided considering the chances created, means Spurs finish third in Group E, with CSKA bottom.

 Spurs fell behind against the run of play to Alan Dzagoev's 33rd-minute strike but fought back to secure their first win at Wembley at the third time of asking this season.

 Dele Alli and Harry Kane replied before half-time and Tottenham finally made sure of the result in the 77th minute when Alli's header was turned into his own net by Igor Afinfeev.

 There was another positive for the hosts as Toby Alderweireld made his return from injury as a substitute after two months out.

 Spurs will now look ahead to the Europa League draw on Monday, and hope they can build momentum heading into the festive period after a largely positive display against a lacklustre CSKA, who were bidding farewell to head coach Leonid Slutsky.

 Having lost both their previous Champions League matches at Wembley this season, Spurs named a strong starting line-up, with the only change from the weekend win over Swansea seeing Harry Winks replacing Mousa Dembele.

 While they dominated possession in the early stages, Alli twice missed excellent opportunities; heading wide from the penalty spot and then failing to beat Akinfeev from close range.

 Heung-Min Son also saw an effort saved by Akinfeev, whose record run of not having kept a Champions League clean sheet now stretches to 39 successive matches.

 The Russia international might have thought that this would be the night as CSKA, despite barely venturing out of their own half, took the lead.

 Some slack defending from Spurs saw Dzagoev unmarked as he collected a flick on before firing past Hugo Lloris.

 But Spurs responded as Alli atoned for his earlier misses with a composed side-footed finish into the corner after bringing down a cross.

 CSKA could have regained their lead when Georgi Milanov was played through, but his shot from just inside the box was saved by Lloris.

 A couple of minutes later Spurs went ahead with almost the last move of the half.

 The impressive Christian Eriksen chipped a ball over the top for Danny Rose and his low cross was tapped in by Kane from a few yards out.

 Spurs continued to dominate after the break, despite sometimes looking shaky at the back on the odd occasion that CSKA did threaten.

 The hosts created several chances to extend their lead, with Kane heading over from six yards out and Alli turning a first-time shot over after Alderweireld made his return from the bench.

 Fedor Chalov almost levelled with a deflected shot after indecision in the Spurs box, before Akinfeev saved well from Kane's lunging volley.

 Spurs finally put the game to bed with 13 minutes remaining when Alli saw a header from six yards out initially saved by Akinfeev, who then kicked the ball into his own net.

 Alderweireld twice headed over as Spurs pressed for more goals, but in the end they had to settle for just three.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chelsea sign Bakayoko from Monaco for £40M

Image
Tiemoue Bakayoko has joined Chelsea from Monaco and become the club's second-most expensive signing of all time. Sky Sports News HQ understands the 22-year-old has cost the Blues £40m - some £10m less than Fernando Torres in 2011. Bakayoko, an athletic central midfielder, has signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will join up with France international team-mate N'Golo Kante. Bakayoko said: "I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood. "I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach (Antonio Conte) and alongside so many great team-mates." Chelsea's technical director Michael Emenalo said: "Tiemoue was outstanding as Monaco emerged as one of Europe's best sides last season and we are delighted to welcome him to Chelsea. "Despite his young age he already has plenty of experience as a French title winner and having competed ...
Read more

Jose Gimenez's goal secured a late win for Uruguay against Egypt

Image
It’s another exciting atmosphere in Russia as Egypt take on Uruguay in a group A encounter. Uruguay dominated possession in the first 3 minutes of the opening stage of the first half. Caceres was put under pressure defensively but can’t keep the ball in play after tackle, though it shows Egypt are doing everything within their reach to limit the time Uruguay have on the ball. Egypt are starting to to enjoy the game after the early pressure from the Uruguay. Cavani look threatening to the Egypt defense with the first attempt of the game, firing a low shot from outside the box that El – Shenawy managed to keep out comfortably. Egypt have done great defensively as they’ve kept Uruguay silent and finding thir rhythm in attack. Egypt with their first attempt of the game as trezeguet forced Muslera into action for the first time. He chests the ball down to create some chance in the box but couldn’t get contact with the ball properly. Egypt are looking more dangerous on th...
Read more

Ronaldo on a rare run of goals and assists for Juventus

Image
The Portuguese star is on a rare run of getting goals and assists, after pulling it off against Parma, Sassuolo and Frosinone Cristiano Ronaldo proved his importance to Juventus once again as he scored and assisted in a match for the third time in a row on Friday. The 34-year-old helped fire the Serie A leaders to a 3-0 win over Frosinone when he set Paulo Dybala up for the opening goal and then netted his side's third in the second half. Having also notched goals and assists against Parma and Sassuolo in the previous two league games, he is on a rare run of form of playing the dual role of scorer and provider for the defending champions. It is the second time in the 33-year-old's career that he has scored and set up goals in three games in a row. The last time he put such run together was in November 2014, when he was still with Real Madrid. Ronaldo's 19th goal extends his lead at the top of the Serie A goal chart, while he now has made the joint-most ass...
Read more