CSKA MOSCOW v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Tottenham came in to this game under a little pressure having been beaten by Monaco in their first game in this Champions League group. Travelling to Moscow is never easy but that is the task that this relatively young and inexperienced team faced,
Mauricio Pochettino made two changes from his team that won at Middlesbrough on Saturday. Erik Lamela came in for the concussed Moussa Sissoko and Kieran Trippier made his first start of the season as Kyle Walker was rested. With injuries to Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Moussa Dembele and Danny Rose in addition to Sissoko’s absence, the Tottenham Hotspur bench was largely made up of youngsters.
Spurs enjoyed much of the first half possession without being penetrative enough in their play. Their build up play was slow at times and their passing in the final third was often sloppy. Vincent Janssen was largely isolated in play as Dele Alli, Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen struggled behind him.
CSKA Moscow actually looked more dangerous in the game. Happy to sit back and deny Tottenham space they broke with purpose and manufactured some dangerous situations. Crosses from Golovin in the 6th minute and from Tosic in the 27th minute giving the Tottenham defence cause for concern. On the 33rd minute a shot from Eremenko tested Hugo Lloris down low to his right hand post.
In the 34th minute however, Spurs had their best chance of the match. Eriksen dribbled into the CSKA penalty area before being dispossessed, but the ball fell kindly to Alli who manouvered the ball on to his right foot. His resultant shot came off the CSKA crossbar but it was the closest they would come before the half time whistle.
Spurs started the second half with more purpose. Lamela and Son switched wings and there seemed more urgency in their play. CSKA were content to sit back and play on the break. Early shots from Trippier, Son and Lamela made the Moscow defence work but Akinfeev was yet to be troubled. At the other end Tosic went close.
In the 67th minute Spurs replaced Janssen with Frenchman George Kevin-N’Koudou and the game turned once again. N’Koudou’s pace and directness on the left side gave Spurs added impetus. With Son in a more advanced role the tactic worked. In the 71st minute the ball was played through to the South Korean by Lamela and Son’s shot trickled under the advancing Afinkeev and over the line to give Spurs a deserved lead.
CSKA became more adventurous in their play as they sought an equalizer and whilst Son had a good chance to put Spurs 2-0 up, the Londoners saw the game out comfortably to give them a valuable three points after their defeat to Monaco at Wembley two weeks ago.
CSKA Moscow – Akinfeev, Fernandes, Berezutski V, Ignashevich, Schennikov, Golovin, Wernbloom, Tosic, Eremenko, Milanov, Traore. Subs: Chepchugov, Berezutski, A. Nababkin, Natcho, Gordyushenko, Strandberg.
Tottenham Hotspur – Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies, Wanyama, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Lamela, Janssen. Subs: Vorm, Walker, Onomah, Winks, N’Koudou, Carter-Vickers, Wimmer.
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