Richarlison on target as Moore shines in AZ win

Our perfect start to this season’s Europa League continued on Thursday evening as Richarlison’s second-half penalty gave us a third straight victory in the competition.

The Brazilian forward marked his first start of the season with a well-taken spot-kick to break the resistance of Dutch visitors AZ Alkmaar and it was no more than we deserved after a dominant performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a much-changed side.

Following victories over Qarabag and Ferencvaros, it means we are one of only three teams to have a 100 per cent record in the new-look league phase – along with Lazio and Anderlecht – and also ensured we maintained our perfect run of Europa League victories at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – that’s now eight straight wins in the competition in N17.

We almost made the dream start with just five minutes gone but the excellent Mikey Moore headed Timo Werner’s tempting deep cross wide when he really should have done better. AZ were forced into an early change when one of their key players Ruben van Bommel – son of Dutch legend Mark who scored for the Netherlands against England at White Hart Lane in August, 2001 – limped off injured on 12 minutes. His replacement, Denso Kasius, almost created a goal five minutes later but his wonderful cross skipped along the edge of the six-yard box, just evading three AZ players on its way.

We were seeing plenty of the ball with the Eredivisie visitors content to sit back and try to hit us on the counter with the pacy Ernest Poku, and we created a good opening in the 27th minute when Lucas Bergvall played a clever pass to release Werner down the inside left and into the box but his tame finish was easily gathered by Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro.

Just two minutes later, a corner from Sven Mijnans at the other end was met well by a header from Alexandre Penetra but Fraser Forster stuck out a big hand to push it away, before Richarlison stole the ball from Seiya Maikuma midway inside the AZ half and slid in Werner but he fired wide on the stretch. The final action of the half saw a loose pass from Werner collected by our former Academy graduate Troy Parrott and he played a dangerous ball in behind for Kasius but Forster was off his line quickly to divert the ball away.

Just two minutes after the interval, a superb dribble and pass from Moore – who had switched over to the left flank – gave half-time substitute Brennan Johnson a sight of goal but his right-foot effort was blocked, however that was only a temporary reprieve for AZ. A lovely ball over the top found James Maddison and Bergvall in behind, the latter was tripped by Maxim Dekker as he shaped to shoot and Lithuanian referee Manfredas Lukjancukas pointed to the spot. Afte some deliberation between himself and Maddison, Richarlison took the penalty, hitting it straight down the middle past Owusu-Oduro.

We survived a scare soon after though, Radu Dragusin dispossessed by Poku who raced in on goal only to be denied by a superb covering block from Rodrigo Bentancur while in the 74th minute, AZ broke away again, this time Mayckel Lahdo through on goal but Forster made an excellent stop with his legs to preserve our lead. The visitors were on top at this stage and were keeping us on our toes defensively however they were dealt a blow with four minutes remaining when David Moller Wolfe picked up a second yellow card and was sent off.

Wilson Odobert made his return to action following an injury lay-off in the final minutes when he replaced Moore, almost getting on the scoresheet straight away but his shot was blocked by Penetra. The French forward was in again right at the end following some neat one-touch passing inside the box but he poked just wide of the far post.

Team news saw Ange Postecoglou make nine changes from the team that beat West Ham on Saturday with Forster coming in for his second appearance of the season after starting the Carabao Cup win over Coventry City last month, while Moore shone on his second senior start.

Match data

Goal: Spurs – Richarlison 53 (pen).

Yellow cards: AZ – Moller Wolfe, Dekker, Kwakman, Clasie.

Red card: Moller Wolfe.

Referee: Manfredas Lukjancukas (Lithuania).

Weather: Misty and light winds, 11 degrees.

Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Attendance: 53,438.