Tottenham endured a frustrating night as Lucas Bergvall’s own goal handed AZ Alkmaar a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
Ange Postecoglou’s side managed just one shot on target late in the game and only two touches inside AZ’s box throughout a lackluster performance. The decisive moment came when teenager Bergvall mishit his clearance from Troy Parrott’s cross, sending the ball into his own net.
Spurs relied heavily on goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who made three crucial saves to keep the visitors within touching distance, including a sharp stop to deny former Tottenham striker Parrott.
Adding to their woes, midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will miss the second leg at home after picking up his third yellow card of the tournament.
Tottenham offered little in attack, with substitute Wilson Odobert forcing a save from AZ keeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro and heading over in the dying moments.
Their troubles deepened when Dominic Solanke, making his comeback after a seven-week knee injury layoff, limped off just 20 minutes after coming on. Spurs will need a much-improved performance in the return leg next Thursday to overturn the deficit.
Tottenham remain in trophy hunt
One of the soundbites of Spurs’ campaign has been Postecoglou’s quote in September that he always wins a trophy in his second season with a team – a claim that is mostly accurate.
But Spurs will have to improve – starting with actually creating some good chances – next week if he is to have a chance of continuing that run.
The Europa League is Spurs’ last chance of silverware this season. Fail to win the second leg and they will probably not even be in Europe next season, given they are currently 13th in the Premier League.
AZ, who are sixth in the Dutch Eredivisie, were deserved victors and could have won by more.
Ernest Poku had four efforts, with three each for Republic of Ireland striker Parrott and substitute Denso Kasius.
The hosts’ biggest chance to score a goal themselves came when Parrott, who left Spurs for £6.7m in the summer, was sent through on goal but denied by the foot of Vicario.
Bergvall was unfortunate to score the own goal when Parrott volleyed a ball across and the Tottenham midfielder badly sliced his clearance which Djed Spence was unable to head off the line.
Spurs’ chances were few and far between. Bergvall flashed a near-post header wide from a James Maddison corner. Son Heung-min had a shot blocked and Brennan Johnson, Son and Bergvall all missed the target from about 20 yards out.
Odobert had an effort saved, although it may not have even been a shot, and should probably have done better when he headed over in the 95th minute.
Player of the match
T. Parrott