Tottenham were thoroughly outplayed and were perhaps lucky to escape with only a 1-0 defeat at home to Ajax in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Spurs, shorn of the injured Harry Kane and suspended Son Heung-min, looked like the away side in the first half as effervescent Ajax swathed forward and suffocated the hosts.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side deservedly fell behind through a classy goal when Hakim Ziyech sprayed the ball wide to David Neres and when the ball was returned to the Moroccan he majestically played in Donny van de Beek who showed tremendous composure to slide his side ahead.
Tottenham were far more of a threat after the break but couldn’t create many clear-cut chances and it was the away side who had the clearest sight of goal with Neres hitting the post.
Son will be back for the return leg in Amsterdam when the Premier League side will have it all to do.
Here’s how we rated the English side:
Donny van de Beek’s stylish finish was the only goal.
TOTTENHAM (3-1-4-2)
Hugo Lloris 6: After being beaten had little to do. A bystander as Neres struck the post.
Toby Alderweireld 7: Another who wasted a golden chance with a header. Stood tall amid early storm, strong after Vertonghen went off.
Jan Vertonghen 5: Sickening collision with Alderweireld prematurely ended his night. Worrying the way he was carried off.
Davinson Sanchez 7: Busy night as Ajax didn’t let hosts breathe. But Spurs’ most assured defender, steadily found his feet.
Victor Wanyama 5: Overawed early on but steadied himself and Spurs’ midfield after break. Pass accuracy (58.5 per cent), however, was woeful.
Kieran Trippier 5: Overcame a troubling start to put in a ferocious effort. Heart and hunger abounded, led team with five tackles, but quality lacking.
Christian Eriksen 3: Lacking usual poise and panache. Better in second half but chief creator did very little. A 66.7 per cent pass accuracy summed his night up.
Dele Alli 4: Anonymous first half but upped his output in the second. Saw early shot blocked but unable to find key to unlock watertight Ajax defence.
Danny Rose 4: Struggled horribly as he was tormented by Neres and Ziyech, but another who improved, slightly, after break, at least going forward.
Lucas Moura 8: Growing threat and in an attack drastically searching for quality, pace posed constant problems.
Fernando Llorente 6: A seasoned aerial specialist as himself had to do better with free headers. Won seven first half aerials. In thick of action but immobility stood out.
SUBS
Moussa Sissoko 8: Re-energised Spurs after entrance. Fizzed one shot just wide. Enjoyed a monster second half, dragging his side back into the contest.
Ben Davies N/A: Introduced presumably for his height, but perhaps to shore up Spurs’ white wall.
Juan Foyth N/A: Like Davies, brought on with his height hoping to cause a problem, but to plug any gaps more than anything.
