[ad_1]
Tottenham were stunned by Sporting Lisbon as two late goals condemned them to a 2-0 defeat in their Champions League Group D clash at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The game appeared to be heading for a stalemate before Sporting substitute Paulinho headed a Pedro Goncalves corner past Hugo Lloris in the final minute of normal time.
The hosts then wrapped up the points in stoppage time when Arthur Gomes, another substitute, cut in from the left and breezed past Cristian Romero and Emerson Royal before slotting a low finish into the corner.
Spurs, back in action after the weekend’s Premier League postponements following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, were a long way below their best on the night, struggling to create clear chances and unable to contain Sporting’s counter-attacking threat.
It seemed they would at least take a point back to north London, but in the end their lacklustre performance was ruthlessly punished as Sporting celebrated a win which keeps them top of Group D – and leaves Antonio Conte’s side with catching up to do on their return to the Champions League.
How Sporting shocked Spurs
After a period of silence in tribute to The Queen before kick-off, Sporting were soon showing their counter-attacking potency, pouncing on Spurs errors repeatedly, with Pedro Goncalves forcing a low save from a full-stretch Lloris in the early stages.
That opportunity was created by Marcus Edwards and the former Tottenham youngster continued to cause problems for his old side, most notably when he embarked on a mesmerising dribble shortly before the break, dancing through a crowd of Spurs players and exchanging passes with Trincao before releasing a toe-poked shot which squirmed past the post off Lloris.
Spurs, by contrast, were sloppy and sluggish in possession, their first-half performance summed up by the sight of Richarlison, their two-goal hero against Marseille last week, being repeatedly caught offside.
Marcus Edwards was outstanding against his former side
The visitors did rally after the break, creating a flurry of chances, with Emerson Royal heading wide then firing a low shot straight at Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adan in the space of a couple of minutes.
Harry Kane then drew another save from Adan, while Richarlison fired wide on one occasion, then sent a header past the post on another, but Sporting soon regained their composure.
Arthur Gomes celebrates after scoring Sporting Lisbon’s second goal
Having nullified Spurs’ attacking threat, the breakthrough arrived from a set-piece as, moments after Lloris had pulled off a brilliant save from Pedro Porro, Paulinho rose highest to head home the subsequent corner at the near post.
Things then went from bad to worse for Spurs when Gomes’ superb second goal sparked more wild celebrations at Estadio Jose Alvalade, leaving Conte with much to ponder.
Tottenham’s remaining Champions League fixtures
October 4: Eintracht Frankfurt (A) – kick-off 8pm
October 12: Eintracht Frankfurt (H) – kick-off 8pm
October 26: Sporting Lisbon (H) – kick-off 8pm
November 1: Marseille (A) – kick-off 8pm
What’s next for Spurs?
Tottenham resume their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester, live on Sky Sports on Saturday, with coverage starting at 4.30pm on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 5.30pm.
[ad_2]
Source link