Own goal leaves Tottenham with work to do against Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur
Lucas Bergvall's unfortunate own goal condemned Tottenham to a flat and uninspiring defeat in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against AZ Alkmaar.
Stadium - AFAS Stadion
Ange Postecoglou's side offered little in attack, failing to muster a shot on target until the closing stages, and only managing two touches inside AZ's box all evening.
The decisive moment came from teenage midfielder Bergvall, who inadvertently diverted Troy Parrott's cross into his own net as he attempted to clear the danger.
Spurs had goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario to thank for keeping them in the tie, producing three crucial saves. This included one to deny former Tottenham striker Parrott, who joined AZ for £6.7m last summer.
However, Tottenham's hopes of progression took another blow with midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur now suspended for next week's return leg after picking up his third booking of the competition.
Postecoglou's side created little of note during a lacklustre display. Substitute Wilson Odobert came closest when his cross-shot was beaten away by AZ goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, before heading over the bar deep into stoppage time.
To compound Tottenham's misery, striker Dominic Solanke, making his first appearance after seven weeks out with a knee injury, was forced off just 20 minutes after coming on, adding to Spurs' mounting injury concerns.
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Tottenham remain in trophy hunt. Just.
One of the soundbites of Spurs' campaign has been Postecoglou's quote from September, where he claimed he always wins a trophy in his second season with a team – a statement that has largely proven true in his career so far.
However, if Tottenham are to keep those hopes alive, they will need a significant improvement in next week's second leg – particularly in terms of their attacking output.
The Europa League represents Spurs' last shot at silverware this season, and failure to overturn the deficit could also leave them without European football next season, given their current 13th-place standing in the Premier League.
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AZ, who sit sixth in the Eredivisie, were worthy winners on the night and could have added to their lead.
Ernest Poku had four efforts on goal, while Parrott and substitute Denso Kasius also threatened for the hosts. Parrott, who left Spurs in the summer, came closest when he raced through one-on-one only to be denied by the foot of Vicario.
Bergvall's own goal was unfortunate, with the Swede shanking his attempted clearance from Parrott's volleyed cross, allowing the ball to trickle in despite Djed Spence's desperate attempt to clear off the line.
Spurs' attacking efforts were limited. Bergvall glanced a near-post header wide from a James Maddison corner, Son Heung-min saw a shot blocked, and both Brennan Johnson and Bergvall missed the target from distance.
Odobert's late header, which sailed over the bar in the 95th minute, summed up Tottenham's evening – one of frustration, missed opportunities, and an increasing sense that their season is hanging by a thread.
