Richarlison penalty gives Tottenham victory over 10-man AZ Alkmaar
Richarlison scored a crucial penalty to secure Tottenham’s victory over AZ Alkmaar, preserving their perfect Europa League run.
In his first start of the season following injury, the Brazilian initially contested with captain James Maddison over taking the penalty after Maxim Dekker fouled Lucas Bergvall in the box.
Ultimately, Maddison stepped aside, allowing Richarlison to convert with confidence, sending the ball down the center to score the decisive goal in the 53rd minute.
“Initially we both wanted to take it,” Maddison told TNT Sports.
“I’m a senior player, I was captain today, I was going to take it, but I thought Richarlison has come back from an injury, it’s difficult for a striker – a first goal gives confidence.”
Ange Postecoglou’s side struggled to break through AZ Alkmaar’s defense until the penalty breakthrough, missing a few clear opportunities in the first half.
Mikey Moore missed an early close-range header, while Timo Werner’s difficulties in front of goal continued with two unconvincing shots before being replaced by Brennan Johnson for the second half.
Spurs were more dynamic after the break, with young English talent Moore impressing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Tottenham had moments under pressure, notably when Fraser Forster made a full-stretch save against Alexandre Penetra’s looping header.
Former Spurs player Troy Parrott, now with AZ, nearly equalized with 15 minutes left but shot directly at Forster.
AZ finished the game with 10 men after David Moller Wolfe was shown a second yellow card. Spurs also had a late penalty appeal denied when AZ goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro appeared to collide with Destiny Udogie in the box.
The win gives Tottenham nine points from three Europa League games, but challenging fixtures against Galatasaray and Roma await in November.
‘I thought we had Neymar’ – Moore earns his Spurs
Postecoglou made nine changes to the lineup that triumphed over West Ham 4-1 on Saturday, retaining only captain James Maddison and Destiny Udogie as starters.
The Australian manager seized the match as an opportunity to evaluate the club’s youth talent, including teenagers Mikey Moore, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray.
Eighteen-year-old Swedish player Bergvall won the decisive penalty, but it was London-born Mikey Moore who made the strongest impression with his dynamic performance.
“I thought we had Neymar on the left wing! He is fearless, [he has] that young, fearless mentality,” Maddison said when asked about Moore.
“He’s a brilliant lad, he has bags of ability. I will hopefully help him with wise words but he has all the ability and well done to him.”
The 17-year-old should have headed home Werner’s superb in-swinging cross in the fifth minute and was quiet for the remainder of the opening half.
There were bright spells from Moore later when he switched to the left wing, beginning the second half by dribbling past a host of AZ players in the middle of the park before curling a delightful ball to Johnson, who could not get a shot away in time.
The youngster delivered another superb ball into the box minutes later, but Richarlison and Bergvall were unable to get a touch to turn it in.
Postecoglou said: “It’s exciting. Every challenge we throw to him he thrives on. He’s a great kid, working hard every day, and it’s exciting for us and the football club.”
Moore’s efforts were rewarded with chants of “he’s one of our own” by the Tottenham support, who gave him a standing ovation when he was substituted off in the 88th minute.