Solanke sends gritty Spurs into semi-finals as Postecoglou gets a response
BETTER CALL SOL: Tottenham Hotspur's Dominic Solanke (right) celebrates with Lucas Bergvall and team-mates after scoring their side's first goal of the game from a penalty during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final, second leg match at the Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany. Pic: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire
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Anything Arsenal can do, Spurs can do too.
Dominic Solanke scored his first goal in 12 games to take Tottenham and their beleaguered manager Ange Postecoglou into the semi-finals of the Europa League, just a day after north London rivals Arsenal advance to the last four of the Champions League.
Spurs showed rare grit and resilience to beat Eintracht Frankfurt on their own turf, with Solanke scoring the all-important goal with a penalty after James Maddison was clattered by keeper Kaua Santos shortly before half-time.
And from then on, Tottenham defended superbly and showed the sort of spirit that has been seen to rarely from then in the Premier League this season. It was another triumph for English football in Europe and keeps Spurs hopes of silverware alive.
The fact that Heung Min Son was out injured gave a chance for Mathys Tel to play on Tottenham’s left wing, and the young Frenchman looked their most dangerous player in the early stages, which were largely dominated by the home side.
Eintracht appeared more purposeful for the opening half-hour, spurred on by their noisy support inside the impressive Deutsche Bank Arena. Dino Toppmoller had an unchanged side from the one that drew 1-1 in last week’s first leg in London, though he had to make changes within 15 minutes when World Cup winner Mario Gotze limped off with a hamstring injury.
His replacement, Fares Chaibi, tested Guglielmo Vicario with a near post header, but the Germans did not unduly trouble Tottenham’s Italian goalkeeper in the opening half. Hugo Ekitike, who scored early in the first leg last week, shot weakly at Vicario and the French forward was then foiled by good interceptions from Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven.
Tottenham were content to soak up pressure and mount sporadic counter-attacks, often led by the lively Tel. One cutback from the byline was cleared by defender Robin Koch, and then the Frenchman tried a curling shot from distance that was tipped away by Santos. When Brennan Johnson crossed low from the right, Tel snatched at his shot and the ball trickled well wide of the far post.
Tottenham started to look more comfortable after half an hour, and were prepared to play long balls forward more often than usual. And it was from one of these, a lofted pass from Romero into the opposition penalty area, that Spurs took the lead. James Maddison read Romero’s intentions and darted towards the penalty spot to get his head to the ball, only for the onrushing Santos to wipe him out in a brutal collision.
While the prone Maddison was receiving treatment for his head injury, VAR studied the incident and persuaded referee Davide Massa to review it on a pitchside monitor. It did not take long for the Italian to decide it was a penalty, and Solanke stepped up to convert the spot kick.
His celebrations suggested relief at ending an 11-match barren spell as much as delight at putting Spurs ahead.
Maddison departed soon afterwards and his replacement Dejan Kulusevski added nous to the Tottenham team, who now had a lead to defend.
Spurs had chances to increase their lead. Romero put a header just wide of the far post from one corner, Bentancur headed another over the bar from close range.
Chaibi went close with a long range free-kick and then had a flick well saved by Vicario, who was grateful to see Rasmus Kristensen’s follow-up header wide of the far post. The Leeds fullback, on loan to Frankfurt missed two more chance, one shot well wide and another hit softly at Vicario.
Some of Tottenham’s defending was frantic at times, but so was Frankfurt’s finishing. Postecoglou sent on Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr to give Spurs solidity, something that has been sorely lacking this season.
Santos 5; Kristensen 5, Tuta 5, Koch 6, Theate 6; Skhiri 6 Larsson 6 (Wahi 77); Brown 5 (Knauff 77), Gotze 5 (Chaibi 15), Bahoya 6 (Uzun 59); Ekitike 5.
Vicario 7; Porro 6, Romero 7, Van de Ven 8, Udogie 7; Bergvall 7, Bentancur 7, Maddison 6 (Kulusevski 44); Johnson 6 (Danso 85), Solanke 8, Tel 7 (Sarr 79)Â
Davide Massa (Italy) 9
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