2-1 FT. I think it's fair to say that we probably didn't deserve to win that one. A few poor performances scattered throughout the team, but they had one out-ball all night and it worked time and again. Played down their left onto Trippier, who was isolated all game, just as he was in the first leg. We never fixed it. On to Azerbaijan next. Wonder what sort of squad Pochettino will take? It'll be very draining for all involved, but we're not in a position to rest everyone.
My admiration of Dembele has been put severely to the test for some time. I've always rated him however, and now he looks fully fit and playing in his favourite central role, I'm hoping he will just get better and better.
Anderlecht are a good side and lost a lead very late at home against Arsenal and came back from 3 down to draw at the Emirates. Monaco beat Arsenal at the Emirates and knocked them out of the CL. Qarabag might not be a side anyone has heard of but they're decent enough. It's probably the toughest group we've had, definitely not easy. Not a great display from us, we weren't clinical again and the defending was poor, even if our last ditch challenges were very good. Win either of our last 2 matches and we're through.
In some ways Anderlecht are the best team we've played this season, in the sense that they have given us more problems than just about anyone else that we've played. Not many great performances, but a lot of players worked really hard. There were plenty of last ditch tackles in the box, which ideally shouldn't have been needed but did indicate a commitment to the cause.
Result we needed, if not the performance we wanted. We can send the reserve team (which with the likes of Bentaleb and Townsend hopefully back in contention it'll actually be alright) out to Carrier Bag to keep the big boys fresh for the Chelsea game and we'll probably be in a strong position in the group to finish with a home game. We played ok at times but dropped right off before we scored our first and after they equalised. Mason showed some good passes and it was good to see Son back even if he was a little rusty. Trippier got forward well but looked a little suspect at the back, although to be fair he was often left isolated against some seriously quick players. They have a few good players in that team and I like Defour in the midfield for them, strong all rounder. We could have been out of sight if Davies's wonder strike had been a couple of inches lower, and if Alli hadn't butchered a couple of situations on the break that would have led to prime chances. We laboured a bit but I'm not too concerned.
How very Spursy. But we rode our sloppiness. Dembele deciding he is allowed to hit the ball in the direction of the goal net has been one of the highlights this season.
ooooohhh!My bloody nerves.Why was our right back not marking the winger.The winger had so much time he could have cooked dinner!
If Pochettino has any iron fist on discipline, then Townsend will be first on the team sheet for Qarabag.
How old is Moussa now? He's like a new signing, if he maintains this kind of impact on a regular basis.
He's 19, French and he plays for Fulham. Looks pretty decent, actually. Our Belgian only has one s, apparently. Mousa. He's 28. Looking very good since his return from injury.
Maybe the whole Soldado, Paulinho, Lamela thing was just an elaborate and expensive ruse to disguise Levy's true plan all along... Dembele was Bale's real replacement.
