Vengeful Spurs top Europa League Group J after beating Anderlecht
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | November 5, 2015
Tottenham 2-1 Anderlecht
- Kane breaks deadlock with fifth goal in last three games
- Ezekiel got second half equaliser for Anderlecht
- Sub Demebele got the late winner against Belgian compatriots
- Spurs go top of Group J after four matches as Monaco draw at Qarabag
Spurs leave it late to get revenge on Anderlecht
Tottenham went top of Europa League Group J after claiming a late win over Anderlecht, who inflicted the same 2-1 scoreline on the North Londoners in the reverse fixture, after Monaco drew at Qarabag.
Harry Kane continued his return to form after opening the scoring in the first half, while Mousa Dembele ensured all three points late on after Imoh Ezekiel’s equaliser.
It was the Belgians who started the game more promisingly again, and had the first real chance in the eighth minute as Red Devils international midfielder Steven Defour tested Hugo Lloris from out the area.
That didn’t really seem to spur Tottenham on, however, as the visitors kept pressing and Yoeri Tielemans soon after came close but was just wide of the post.
Erik Lamela came close on 23 minutes after a dribble into the box, but perhaps used the wrong foot and couldn’t get his shot on target on the outside of his left peg.
Kane continues scoring run
But it was back-in-form Harry Kane who broke the deadlock as he latched onto a deft Christian Eriksen pass. England frontman Kane struck first time just on the edge of the box past the Anderlecht keeper after half-an-hour played.
The second half had a more tame and even start, but Tottenham left back Ben Davies got fans off their seats after 60 minutes when he superbly volleyed onto the crossbar after a great control.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men were left to rue that effort as sub Imoh Ezekiel levelled the scores after he got onto the end of a wonderful pass by Defour. The Nigeria cap did well to adjust himself to hit it first time in off the post.
However, with just three minutes of normal time there were cheers all round from the home crowd, as Spurs’ own supersub Mousa Dembele scored a screamer into the top corner against his Belgian compatriots.
The victory ensured that Tottenham went top of Group J, four points ahead of closest rivals Monaco and three above Anderlecht and Qarabag, with two games to go.
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