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Match report: Tottenham Hotspur 3 Vitesse 2

Conte’s reign as Spurs boss gets off to thrilling start
By Haran Naresh

Lucas Moura doubles Tottenham's lead against Vitesse (credit is Tottenham Hotspur/Getty Images)
Lucas Moura doubles Tottenham’s lead against Vitesse (credit is Tottenham Hotspur/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte’s first game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur ended in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Vitesse in the Europa Conference League.

Spurs surged into a three goal lead with strikes from Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura and an own goal by Jacob Rasmussen, before the Dutch side reduced the deficit with goals from Rasmussen and Matus Bero.

Tottenham spent the last half an hour with ten men after Cristian Romero was dismissed for a second bookable offence. But the away side finished the game with nine players after Danilho Doekhi received two yellows and goalkeeper Markus Schubert was sent off for handling outside the area.

Just a minute into the game, Tottenham missed an excellent chance through Son Heung-min. He was played in behind and rounded the goalkeeper before having his effort cleared off the line by Riechedly Bazoer.

Tottenham conceded possession in a dangerous area and Vitesse worked the ball to Nikolai Baden Frederiksen who steered a shot off-target.

The away team started to grow in confidence and Maximilian Wittek drove clear on the left wing before firing a shot into the side netting.

Tottenham took the lead with 14 minutes on the clock. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg played in Moura who had his shot saved by Markus Schubert but he could only push the ball towards Son who stroked home.

Moura doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 22nd minute. He played the ball into Kane before receiving a return pass that beat Vitesse’s high line. Lucas only had Schubert to beat and he slotted into the corner.

Spurs added a third goal just before the half hour mark. Sergio Reguilon passed infield to Ben Davies who scuffed a shot into the path of Kane and Vitesse’s Jacob Rasmussen bundled the ball into his own net in his attempt to thwart the striker.

Tottenham had been outstanding in attack, albeit they were aided by some questionable defending from the visitors.

In the 31st minute Sondre Tronstad hit a dipping shot that forced Hugo Lloris to tip the ball over the bar.

The visitors pulled a goal back from the resulting corner. Rasmussen out-muscled Eric Dier to nod in from close range.

Vitesse scored their second with 38 minutes on the clock. Moura gave the ball away near his own penalty area to Yann Gboho who picked out Bero and he calmly side-footed into the net.

Tottenham were much improved in attack but still displayed the defensive deficiencies that plagued Nuno Espirito Santo’s reign.

In the 49th minute Vitesse substitute Lois Openda sent an effort off-target. Spurs couldn’t get going at the start of the second half and were being pinned back.

Openda was proving to be a real threat and he cut inside before blazing a shot on goal that forced Lloris to make a save.

Tottenham were reduced to ten men on the hour mark. Cristian Romero had already been booked and received a second yellow for bringing Openda down on the half-way line.

In the 66th minute Eli Dasa collected the ball from a corner and blazed a shot over the bar. A minute later Thomas Buitink turned and hit a weak shot that was easily saved.

Bazoer hit a curling effort from just outside the area and Lloris made an excellent save. Tottenham were desperately holding on at this stage of the game.

The visitors then had a man sent off with 80 minutes gone. Danilho Doekhi had been involved in tussles with Kane all game and received his second booking after he pulled the striker down.

In the 84th minute Vitesse were reduced to nine players. Goalkeeper Markus Schubert came charging out of his area and inexplicably stuck out his hands and handled the ball.

Giovani Lo Celso missed a golden opportunity to make sure of the win in injury time when he was one-on-one with Jeroen Houwen but could only hit the ball straight at him.

Tottenham started the game brilliantly and displayed the type of attacking football that has been sorely lacking in their season.

However, familiar defensive failings came to the fore. New boss Antonio Conte will be tasked with turning Spurs into an organised unit. On the basis of this game, it may take him some time to achieve this.

This victory puts Spurs in second place in Group G in the Europa Conference League. Their next game in this competition is away against Slovenian outfit NS Mura on 25th November. Tottenham now turn their attention back to the Premier League as they visit Everton on Sunday.

Conte, speaking in his post-match press conference, said: “It was a crazy game. I don’t like this type of game. I want a stable team. When there is the possibility to kill the opponent, you must kill.

“We deserved to win because we created more chances than Vitesse.

“My players showed me great commitment and great resilience.”


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