AZ Alkmaar v Tottenham LIVE: Europa League result and reaction as dismal Spurs slip to defeat
AZ 1-0 Tottenham: Lucas Bergvall’s own goal meant Spurs head into the second leg in north London behind but they were fortunate it wasn’t more after an insipid display
A comical first-half own goal from Lucas Bergvall consigned a lacklustre Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-0 loss away to AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
Bergvall's sliced clearance from a Troy Parrott shot looped in after 18 minutes and it proved enough to give AZ a first victory over an English side in 12 attempts.
Spurs had eight days to prepare for this fixture but produced a flat display in the Netherlands and did not register a shot on target until the 88th minute.
It was a thoroughly disappointing performance from Ange Postecoglou's team, especially given this competition remains the club's last hope of silverware this term and their only chance to salvage a difficult campaign. Tottenham now have it all to do ahead of Thursday's second leg in north London.
Relive the action with our live blog below:
Ange Postecoglou reacts to defeat
Ange Postecoglou wasn’t particularly impressed by his Spurs side as they slipped to defeat in Alkmaar
WATCH: Vicario produces superb save
One of the main reasons it was only 1-0 at the end was a couple of great saves from Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario.
Here was the pick of the bunc
FULL-TIME! AZ 1-0 Tottenham
All over in Alkmaar. Really mediocre stuff from Spurs, especially in that first half.
All you can say is that they’re still well in the tie at only 1-0 behind. AZ should have scored more than one and they’ll be disappointed not to be fully in control of this tie.
Lucas Bergvall’s 17th-minute own goal was ultimately the only goal of the game but Tottenham will need to be much, much better in north London next week
AZ 1-0 Tottenham, 90+5 mins
One last chance for Spurs as Porro puts in a lovely cross from the right touchline, Odobert rises but can’t get over the top of it and his header is well over the bar. That should be that
AZ 1-0 Tottenham, 90+4 mins
Van Duijn yellow carded late on for AZ, Into the final knockings of the game now.
AZ 1-0 Tottenham, 90+2 mins
This really doesn’t look good for Solanke. He’s only lasted 20-odd minutes of his injury return.
He’s subbed off and Dane Scarlett comes on. Hopefully just a knock for Solanke but he looks in a bit of distress as he hobbles off.
AZ 1-0 Tottenham, 90 mins
A bit of late pressure from Spurs as they keep coming. Odobert’s long-range effort is pushed away before a weaving run by Bentancur, who plays in Porro and his clipped cross is scrambled away.
And again Tottenham look for the equaliser but Johnson’s cross is well claimed by Owusu-Oduro who clatters Solanke in the process. The striker looks in some pain and he’s down receiving treatment - Spurs can’t afford to lose him again...
Into three minutes of added time.
AZ 1-0 Tottenham, 88 mins
AZ given space down the left - Moller Wolfe feeds Smit and Gray is forced to lunge across to block the ball in and concede a corner.
Koopmeiners takes and it’s nodded back into the mixer before Spurs concede another corner. This time it’s dealt with more immediately
AZ 1-0 Tottenham, 85 mins
Solanke catches Maikuma as he tries to flick the ball over the top.
Spurs really haven’t created anything clear cut as they look for this equaliser. It’s been a pretty insipid performance
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments