RICHARLISON maintained Tottenham’s 100 per cent Europa League start – but only after winning a penalty ROW with captain James Maddison.
On an evening when Tottenham’s teenage trio shined, it was the returning Brazilian that proved the match-winner despite a bizarre on-field argument with his teammate.
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On his first start of the season, having recovered from a calf strain, the No.9 striker scored a Panenka-style spot-kick that broke the AZ Alkmaar resistance.
Yet after summer signing Luca Bergvall had been decked by Maxim Dekker, Maddison negotiated at length with Richarlison, 27, and actually took the ball OFF the disappointed South American.
Moments later, it was back in Richarlison’s hands and with a steely gaze, he managed to poke fun at goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro with a straight-down-the-middle strike on 53 minutes.
Maddison, who wore the skipper’s armband for the night following the absence of Son Heung-min, did not bear any grudges with the episode.
And the England playmaker was the first to rush over and hug Richarlison, who did his pigeon-dance celebration that was a hallmark of the 2022 World Cup.
In a year in which he revealed his mental health struggles, this was a welcome sight for him and everyone connected with the player.
His coolly-taken goal means it is now three wins out of three and Spurs are on course to qualify for the top eight spots in this revamped, money-grabbing new format.
Postecoglou made NINE changes to the side that thrashed West Ham 4-1 on Saturday and that selection gamble did not backfire.
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Spurs ratings vs Alkmaar: Kids Bergvall impresses on rare start but Dragusin has uncomfortable night
TOTTENHAM made it a hat-trick of Europa League wins thanks to Richarlison’s penalty against ten-man AZ Alkmaar.
The Brazilian converted from the spot on 53 minutes in an opening goal that eventually separated the sides.
Here is how Dan King rated Spurs’ players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Fraser Forster – 7
Brilliant save and good rush from line in first half to stop Spurs falling behind. A spectator for most of the second half but made smart stop in last 20 minutes.
Archie Gray – 5
Unable to team up with fellow teenager Moore in first half to match threat from Tottenham’s other flank and struggled with pace of Ernest Poku.
Radu Dragusin – 5
Another mixed display. Good on the ball one moment, not so much the next. Sometimes looked strong, but then vulnerable, especially when Alkmaar ran at him.
Ben Davies – 7
Tottenham’s Mr Dependable was their most convincing defender, thanks mainly to good positioning and calmness. Although even he showed signs of tension late on.
Destiny Udogie – 6
Did a bit of everything in the opening 45 minutes, although as usual his work in opposition half tended to be better. Less adventurous in the second half.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 6
After a commanding start, was unable to stop Alkmaar from gaining a first-half foothold. Apart from occasional lapses, maintained his authority better after the break.
Mikey Moore – 7
Missed golden early chance and looked uncomfortable on right. Immediate, massive improvement when switched to left, running at defence and creating chances..
Lucas Bergvall – 8
Impressive display with everything but a goal. Full of running, composed, and found killer passes that should have become assists. But had to go off injured.
James Maddison – 7
Skipper for the night had some lovely moments without finding a decisive contribution – until he let Richarlison have the penalty.
Timo Werner – 5
Superb cross for Moore chance but woeful finish when played through by Bergvall told you everything about his confidence levels. Hooked at half time.
Richarlison – 6
Busy and committed in first half, but ball wasn’t sticking much. Really wanted to take the penalty and converting it should be a morale boost. Lasted just over an hour.
SUBS
Brennan Johnson (for Werner, half time) – 5
Failed to make most of a Bergvall pass. Quieter than usual.
Dominic Solanke (for Richarlison, 65) – 6
Worked hard without having a sight of goal.
Dejan Kulusevski (for Bergvall, 73) – 6
Gave the Spurs midfield the legs it needed to see out game.
Pape Sarr (for Maddison, 73) – 6
Also brought an injection of energy to dampen Alkmaar hopes of a comeback.
Only full-back Destiny Udogie and Maddison – a half-time sub against the Hammers – retained their places.
Three teenagers were given a run-out – Bergvall, Mikey Moore and Archie Gray – and what a special occasion this was for them all, playing in a European clash under the lights in front of a packed home crowd.
What a dream start it could have been for the 17-year-old forward Moore on his first appearance in the starting XI in N17.
The left-wing cross on five minutes from Timo Werner was delivered perfectly but the header from close range by the academy graduate, who had wriggled free of his marker, was wasted.
Later on, though, he would be serenaded by the Tottenham faithful for his industry and work-rate with that old Harry Kane song: “He’s one of our own…”
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One of the other youngsters given a go was the blond-haired, 18-year-old Bergvall, a £8.5million recruit, whose night was unfortunately cut short due to a knock.
On 27 minutes, the Swedish midfielder’s beautiful outside-of-the-boot ball dissected the AZ defence and this could have led to the opening goal of an otherwise tedious first half.
The problem was the lovely pass fell to Werner and the German loanee – not the most prolific of strikers – produced a typically tame finish that the AZ goalkeeper easily saved.
Werner’s wastefulness was punished and he was hooked off at half-time for Brennan Johnson, who had a half-chance to score inside a minute of coming on.
AZ – who had a first-half header by Alexandre Penetra brilliantly saved by back-up goalkeeper Fraser Forster – had some chances but were unable to breach the home defence.
There were several times that Tottenham gave away the ball and lived dangerously and they were lucky that the electric Ernest Poku did not punish them – and that Forster’s concentration did not falter.
The Dutch side’s night got worse when David Moller Wolfe received a second yellow for a silly foul and watched the rest of the match from inside the bowels of the stadium.
Maddison cleared up the penalty row in his post-match interview, telling TNT Sports: “Initially we both wanted to take it. I am a senior player, I was the captain today, I was going to take the penalty.
“hen a little thought in my head, when I was stood there, I had a little conversation with myself. Richy has come back from an injury, it can be difficult, especially for a striker.
“I knew that last year as well when I had a long injury. It took me a while to get my first goal. That gives you confidence.”
