Tottenham Hotspur maintained their perfect start in the UEFA Europa League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar, thanks to a second-half penalty by Richarlison. The victory, which marks Spurs’ third consecutive win in the competition, wasn’t without challenges, as the Brazilian forward capitalized on a moment of generosity from captain James Maddison to secure his first goal since May.
Despite not being at their best, Tottenham emerged victorious in a game that tested their depth, with a standout performance from 17-year-old Mikey Moore, who made his first home start for the club. Spurs’ manager Ange Postecoglou had to make several adjustments to the lineup, but his side showed grit and determination to ensure they remain atop their group with nine points from three matches.
Tottenham’s Struggles in Attack
From the outset, it was clear that Tottenham were missing their usual attacking fluency. Timo Werner, who has struggled to find his form since joining Spurs, endured another frustrating night on the pitch. The German forward was removed at halftime after squandering two good chances, one of which saw him blaze over the bar, and the other a weak effort directly at AZ goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.
Postecoglou’s tactical tinkering meant that Werner, who has been desperately searching for confidence, had to watch the second half from the bench. His replacement, Brennan Johnson, brought more intensity to Tottenham’s attack, but it was Richarlison’s penalty that ultimately decided the match.
Maddison’s Leadership and Richarlison’s Goal
The game’s pivotal moment came just after the halftime break when Lucas Bergvall was brought down by Maxim Dekker in the AZ penalty area. There was little doubt about the decision, as Dekker’s desperate lunge clearly fouled the Spurs midfielder.
What followed was an intriguing display of leadership from James Maddison, who initially took the ball to take the penalty. However, after a moment’s reflection, Maddison passed the responsibility to Richarlison, recognizing the boost in confidence his teammate would receive from scoring.
“I thought it would be best if he took it,” Maddison said after the match, explaining his decision. Richarlison stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, sending Owusu-Oduro the wrong way and giving Tottenham the lead.
It was a goal that Richarlison desperately needed, having struggled for form and consistency in recent months. His celebration reflected the relief of finally getting back on the scoresheet, and the Brazilian striker will be hoping this marks the start of a positive run in front of goal.
Young Talent Shines: Mikey Moore’s Impact
One of the game’s brightest aspects for Tottenham was the performance of Mikey Moore. The 17-year-old winger displayed maturity beyond his years, recovering from an early miss to showcase his dazzling dribbling and attacking intent. His wing play continually troubled AZ’s defense, and he drew comparisons to Neymar from Maddison, who praised the youngster’s fearless approach.
Postecoglou was equally impressed, highlighting Moore’s attitude and work ethic. “He was exciting, there’s no point denying it,” the Spurs manager said. “I love the way Mikey is taking it in his stride, working hard every day, wanting to develop.”
While Moore may have missed a clear chance early in the match, his persistence paid off in the second half as he switched to the left wing, causing problems for AZ’s defenders. His performance further cemented his status as one of Tottenham’s most promising young players.
AZ Alkmaar’s Response and Spurs’ Defensive Resilience
AZ Alkmaar, who were no pushovers, created their fair share of opportunities, particularly in the first half. Bright performances from Ernest Poku and Denso Kasius kept Spurs on the back foot at times, with Poku testing Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster on multiple occasions.
Tottenham, however, stood firm defensively, with Forster making crucial saves to maintain the clean sheet. In particular, Forster denied Mayckel Lahdo late in the game when AZ were pressing for an equalizer. Radu Dragusin, who had a shaky performance earlier in the match, also made a vital challenge on Poku after losing possession.
Despite AZ’s best efforts, their hopes of salvaging a point were effectively ended when David Møller Wolfe was sent off for a second yellow card with just five minutes remaining. Tottenham comfortably saw out the match after that, securing their third consecutive win in the group stage.
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Postecoglou’s Tactical Adjustments
Ange Postecoglou’s decision to rotate his squad was a key talking point ahead of the match. With a busy fixture schedule and key games coming up in both the Premier League and Europa League, the Australian manager rested some of his regular starters. While the changes affected the team’s rhythm, Spurs still managed to get the job done.
Postecoglou acknowledged the challenges posed by squad rotation, stating, “It’s not easy when I’m making changes to the team. It disrupts the flow.” However, he praised his players for adapting and grinding out the result, particularly in a second half where Spurs showed more urgency and intensity.
One of the manager’s decisions that paid off was bringing on Johnson for Werner at halftime. Johnson injected pace and energy into Tottenham’s attack, contributing to the increased pressure on AZ’s defense.
Spurs Take Another Step Toward Knockout Stage
Tottenham’s victory puts them in a commanding position in their Europa League group, with nine points from three matches. Barring any major slip-ups in the remaining group games, Spurs are well on course to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
While the performance against AZ Alkmaar was not Tottenham at their best, the result is what matters most. With Richarlison breaking his goal drought, Mikey Moore continuing to impress, and a solid defensive display from Fraser Forster, there were plenty of positives for Postecoglou to take from the match.
As Tottenham turn their attention back to domestic matters, they will be looking to build on this victory and maintain their strong form across all competitions. With the knockout stages of the Europa League now firmly in sight, Spurs can afford to be optimistic about their European campaign.
A Hard-Fought but Crucial Win
In conclusion, Tottenham’s 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar may not have been their most spectacular performance, but it was an important victory that keeps them on track in the Europa League. Richarlison’s penalty was the difference, and young star Mikey Moore’s impressive display was a highlight on an otherwise tense night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With a perfect start to the group stage, Spurs are well-positioned to advance to the next round, and with key players finding form, there is plenty of reason for optimism in North London.
