Roberto Soldado pays penalty for rush of blood

Tottenham Hotspur 1 Fiorentina 1: Roberto Soldado’s best moment in a Tottenham shirt was quickly followed by one to forget as he unnecessarily gave away the free-kick which allowed Fiorentina secure a draw and what could prove a decisive away goal in this Europa League tie.

This encounter is the first of six vital fixtures Mauricio Pochettino’s side face over a testing 17-day period, which includes the mouth-watering prospect of Capital One Cup glory against Chelsea. The Wembley showdown comes just three days after the return leg of the last-32 tie in Florence – a match they approach off the back of a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, where Soldado’s moment of magic was cancelled out by a Jose Maria Basanta strike which stemmed from his rush of blood to the head. The Spaniard was one of six changes made by Pochettino for a match which got off to an ideal start when the £26m striker showed wonderful skill and composure to volley home a Paulinho corner.

Spurs looked set to add to that goal during a sustained period of pressure, only for Fiorentina to draw level before half-time as Basanta fired home during a penalty box melee following a free-kick Soldado foolishly gave away.