Big Guns Turn Tie Around to Fire Spurs into Conference League Group Stage

Thursday 26th August 2021

Match Report

Tottenham Hotspur 3 – 0 Paços de Ferreira (Aggregate: 3 – 1)

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Competition: Europa Conference League Play-off Leg 2 of 2

After fielding a second string side last week Spurs introduced the likes of Kane, Son and Højbjerg to the Europa Conference League and it helped them convincingly overturn a 1-0 loss in the first-leg and advance to the group stages as 3-1 aggregate winners.

Harry Kane started for the first time this season and was named captain by new boss Nuno. Much of the focus was on the star striker, who confirmed he's staying at Spurs and silenced speculation around his proposed move to City that dragged on through the summer.

He almost grabbed a goal inside the first 20 seconds as Romero swept a long ball over the top that found Kane who brought it down beautifully in the area before losing his balance in the split-second finish and seeing his effort fly just wide of the top corner.

Approaching the 10 minute mark, Winks sprinted back and executed a fine sliding challenge that not only stopped the counter but won him possession, he bought it forward a few paces and chipped one over for Bryan Gil to latch onto by the left side of the area, Gil pulled it back to Kane who took a touch out of his feet then passed it into the bottom right corner. 1-0.

Half an hour in and Gil came close to finding his first goal for Spurs with a shot from the edge of the area that looked goal-bound but for an outstretched leg that knocked it onto the post.

Kane then had an effort from a similar position blocked, this time the rebound fell to Lo Celso in the box whose finish was blocked again but Kane followed it up and fired into the bottom left corner. 2-0.

"Thoughts at Half-Time – It's been good so far with two goals already from captain Kane on his big return. Let’s hope we see his hat-trick in the second half."

Spurs continued to dominate proceedings and Bryan Gil, who the home support were loving seeing in action, came close twice more but couldn’t quite find the finish.

With 20 to go the third finally arrived courtesy of a Lo Celso free-kick – Moura bustled his way down the right side of the area where he was eventually brought down. Positioned at a tight angle, Lo Celso whipped one in towards the keeper that a defender tried to head clear but in doing so glanced into his own net. 3-0.

Son and Bergwijn were brought on and both went about trying to bag goals for themselves. Bergwijn came as close as hitting the post, while Son first toed one wide then was denied by the leg of the Paços keeper.

The ref blew the final whistle. 3-0.

"Thoughts at Full-Time – Spurs showed their superiority today and go marching on into the group stages of the Europa Conference League. There were a good few positive performances and hopefully with Kane back onside we push on from here."

Tottenham Player Ratings

• 22. Pierluigi Gollini – 5 – Didn’t have much to do. Looked shaky at times with the ball at his feet.

• 2. Matt Doherty – 6 – Got forward and got on the ball. Not bad.

• 4. Cristian Romero – 8 – Got stuck in and made a number of tackles and interceptions. Showed he's not scared to win it and bomb forward as an extra man which can create problems for the opposition.

• 15. Eric Dier – 7 – Didn’t have a whole lot to do. Solid when called upon.

• 33. Ben Davies – 7 – Looked assured in that left centre-back role. Covered for Sessegnon on occasion and found some decent passes upfield.

• 18. Giovani Lo Celso – 8 – Unlucky not to be given the goal that came from his well-delivered free-kick. Nice footwork in the build-up to Kane's second. Provided a well-weighted ball to lay Gil in on goal for a chance. Slid son in nicely too. Provided a threat.

• 8. Harry Winks – 7 – Looked more like the Winks we came to know and love under Pochettino. Tenacious tackle and brilliant ball to Gil for Spurs' opener.

• 11. Bryan Gil – 8 – The crowd loved him. Seemed inspired to be playing alongside Kane. Deserved a goal and came close to finding one on a few occasions. Promising performance from the new young Spaniard.

• 27. Lucas Moura – 7 – A menace throughout. Snatching the ball and dribbling around with it non-stop. Won the free-kick Lo Celso scored from.

• 10. Harry Kane – 9 – Captained the side and turned the tie around. Great to see him back scoring goals for Spurs. Two well-taken goals and helped his team throughout his time on the pitch.

• 19. Ryan Sessegnon – 5 – Tried a few things going forward but didn't get much joy. Still young and lacking game time.

Substitutions:

• 19. Ryan Sessegnon <-- 63' --> 5. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – 6 – Helped break down opposition attacks and link Spurs ones together.

• 10. Harry Kane <-- 72' --> 7. Son Heung-min – 6 – Seemed determined to get on the scoresheet. Found himself a couple of good chances but they didn’t quite go his way.

• 11. Bryan Gil <-- 73' --> 23. Steven Bergwijn – 6 – Got involved with some superb play down the left-side that deserved a goal but only found the post.

• 27. Lucas Moura <-- 84' --> 20. Dele Alli – N/A – On as a late substitute. Didn't have an impact.

Man of the Match – 10. Harry Kane