Richarlison on spot to sink AZ and sustain Tottenham’s excellent begin

This was a great distance from Tottenham’s most cohesive efficiency of the season however maybe Ange Postecoglou can file away this slender win over AZ Alkmaar as a kind of nights when the outcome mattered most.

There have been probabilities for AZ at numerous levels, just for poor ending to let the Dutch facet down, and it’s seemingly that Postecoglou won’t have favored a few of what he watched from Spurs. A few of the understudies didn’t do themselves justice, not least Timo Werner, and a draw wouldn’t have flattered the guests. Even so, Spurs nonetheless did sufficient to keep up their excellent document within the Europa League and it was optimistic to see Richarlison, with a penalty early within the second half, transfer them nearer in the direction of securing a spot within the knockout section by scoring for the primary time since Could.

There was intrigue in a closely rotated workforce that includes James Maddison after his half-time substitution in final Saturday’s thrashing of West Ham. Might this be his position now? The Thursday night time footballer who can’t get into the beginning 11 on the weekend? If that’s the case, there was definitely no signal of any moping from the playmaker right here. Maddison was continually searching for the ball through the early levels, all the time conscious of the chances round him, though it was not simple for him to create when Spurs’ assault featured so many gamers attempting to play themselves into kind.

Postecoglou’s adjustments made it tough for Spurs to construct momentum throughout an uneven first half. There was a buzz at first, the sight of Mikey Moore making his first house begin a supply of pleasure given the hype across the 17-year-old winger, nevertheless it was not sustained. Moore was quiet after heading extensive from shut vary within the third minute and it was not lengthy earlier than Werner was exhibiting acquainted failings on the left flank, the ahead’s lack of perception in entrance of purpose so persistent by now that there was zero expectation he would rating after being launched by an impudent ball from Lucas Bergvall within the twenty seventh minute.

There was no conviction as Werner opened up his physique earlier than rolling a tame shot straight at Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, whereas he was equally haphazard when offered with one other sight of purpose by Richarlison, who was making his first begin since Could.

Groans adopted each misses. There have been flashes of tension from Spurs, who have been aggrieved to not be given a penalty when Alexandre Penetra’s problem drew a theatrical fall from Maddison, and AZ got here into the sport. They threatened when Denso Kasius, who had come on for the injured Ruben van Bommel, delivered a harmful cross from the proper. Troy Parrott, warmly applauded on his return to his former membership, couldn’t stretch far sufficient on the far publish, however Spurs have been inviting strain. Ernest Poku was inflicting issues on the left and Penetra’s header drew a leaping save from Fraser Forster, who would additionally dash from his space to sort out Kasius.

Spurs wanted extra depth. Postecoglou reacted, Brennan Johnson changing Werner at half-time, and there was an prompt enchancment. Johnson had a shot blocked and Moore, having switched to the left, started to fret AZ with just a few winding runs.

There was a distinct really feel and the breakthrough was on the playing cards when Rodrigo Bentancur picked out Maddison with a looking cross. Maddison’s contact was barely heavy however the ball ran to Bergvall and his presence was sufficient to panic Maxim Dekker, who conceded a penalty with a determined sort out on the midfielder.

It was a transparent foul, though much less apparent was who would take the spot-kick, Richarlison grabbing the ball, Maddison taking it off him, Maddison giving it again to the Brazilian. All of it appeared pointless. Richarlison finally stepped as much as rating in achieved trend.

Spurs deserved to be forward, though their lead was not completely safe. They might have been stage when Radu Dragusin, who seems to not have learnt something from his purple card in opposition to Qarabag on his earlier look, misplaced possession to Poku. Bentancur saved the centre-back with a significant problem. Forster would additionally make a wonderful save from the substitute, Mayckel Lahdo, however AZ’s problem ended when David Moller Wolfe was despatched off for a second reserving with 5 minutes left.