Harry Kane scored a hat-trick and Dele Alli also found the target to help Tottenham reach the group stage of the Europa League courtesy of a hugely entertaining victory over Israeli side Maccabi Haifa.
With this their seventh game in 19 gruelling days at the start of the season, you would have forgiven Spurs for easing into the encounter.
Instead, a frantic first half yielded five goals, four of which went to the home side.
Harry Kane slotted in the opener from close range before former QPR forward Tjaronn Chery curled in a superb equaliser for the visitors.
This only served to provoke further attacking brilliance from the home side, who restored their lead when Lucas Moura flicked the ball in off his back from a corner, and then claimed total control courtesy of two Giovani lo Celso finishes, assisted by the lively Steven Bergwijn and crafty Kane.
The Argentine made way to allow Alli to play the second half, which was somewhat overshadowed by two penalties awarded via controversial handballs.
Spurs Matt Doherty and Maccabi's Ernest Mabouka both had their arms by their side to block crosses but each were penalised, leading to Nikita Rukavytsya narrowing the three-goal margin before Kane restored it.
The England captain then completed a superb night with a neat chipped finish following a Bergwijn pass, before Alli won a penalty with sharp turn to draw a foul that he himself converted.
The draw for the group stage will take place on Friday.
Latest Stories
-
Ga Mantse awards scholarships worth GHC100,000 to pupils in Ga communities
2 minutes -
NDC minority did not help the governance of the country – Afenyo-Markin
15 minutes -
NDC gov’t will struggle to fund social intervention programmes – Afenyo-Markin
21 minutes -
Man arrested for vandalising property at Parliament
22 minutes -
NDC’s internal struggle over who succeeds Mahama in 2028 has started – Afenyo-Markin claims
27 minutes -
NDC’s mischievous campaign and propaganda will soon expose them – Afenyo-Markin
49 minutes -
African banks to remain exposed to domestic, global operating environments risks – Fitch
51 minutes -
Premier League: Wolves agree deal for Pereira to become new boss
53 minutes -
Fitch expects outlook for sub-Saharan African sovereigns to be neutral in 2025
54 minutes -
NDC’s Joseph Yamin allegedly leads mob to seize bullion bars at PMMC Assay Centre
1 hour -
Ghana’s external position moderately stronger -IMF
1 hour -
Many NDC MPs will become redundant in the new parliament – Afenyo-Markin
1 hour -
Maintain a tight monetary policy stance – IMF to BoG
1 hour -
Ghana needs to ‘review’ Olympic preparations of its athletes – Patrick Boamah
1 hour -
Charles Kumi wins 2024 Man Ghana Bodybuilding contest
1 hour