Richarlison marked his first start of the season with a second-half winner to help Tottenham edge past AZ Alkmaar by a 1-0 score and earn a third consecutive Europa League win.
The Brazil international chipped home from the penalty spot in the 53rd-minute, which ensured he avoided a post-match dressing down after he initially would not give the ball to stand-in captain James Maddison.
When Maddison did get the ball back, he quickly had a change of heart and let Richarlison take the spot-kick and score for the first time since May after a troublesome calf injury to help Spurs clinch a seventh win from eight games.
Ange Postecoglou made nine changes from the 4-1 win over West Ham with Mikey Moore was handed his first start at home.
Moore should have marked it with a goal in the fifth minute, but headed wide from close-range after an excellent inswinging cross by Timo Werner.
AZ lost Ruben van Bommel, the son of former Netherlands international Mark, to an injury after 12 minutes, but a fine run by Ernest Poku created an opportunity for ex-Spurs forward Troy Parrott, but his low effort was blocked.
Chances remained limited before the match burst into life when a wonderful outside of the boot pass by Lucas Bergvall sent Werner away only for the RB Leipzig loanee to side-foot weakly straight at Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.
The visitors responded when Sven Mijnans’ corner found Alexandre Penetra, but his powerful header was superbly clawed away by Fraser Forster in the 29th-minute.
Penetra was involved again two minutes later when he dived in on Maddison inside the area and despite the Spurs midfielder going down, a quick VAR check showed it had been a clean tackle.
Werner sent another effort wide moments later after Richarlison won the ball back before a slack pass by the German attacker forced Forster to rush out to deny Mijnans.
With the breakthrough yet to arrive, Postecoglou made another half-time substitution – like against West Ham – with Werner replaced by Brennan Johnson.
Moore was moved out to his favoured left wing position and responded with a dazzling run and pass into Johnson, but his effort was blocked before the 17-year-old then nearly picked out Richarlison.
Tottenham had gone up a gear and the opener did arrive in the 53rd-minute after Bergvall was brought down by Dekker inside the penalty area.
Richarlison chipped home the spot-kick for his first goal of the season but only after an awkward moment with Maddison beforehand.
Maddison required Rodrigo Bentancur to intervene and convince Richarlison to let go of the ball, but after Spurs vice-captain Maddison got the ball back, he had change of heart and let the Brazil international take the spot-kick.
Moore produced more magic soon after when he skipped past Seiya Maikuma and fizzed an effort wide.
AZ had threatened though moments earlier when Radu Dragusin appeared to be fouled but play continued and Bentancur had to slide in to thwart Poku.
Forster was called into action in the 74th-minute with a crucial low save to deny Mayckel Lahdo, but the visitors’ hopes of a late equaliser were dealt a blow when Maxim Dekker was sent off after he received two yellow cards in quick succession as Tottenham held on to stay perfect in the competition.
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
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