Five things we learned from Tottenham 3-0 Qarabag

Radu Dragusin’s early red card did not halt Tottenham’s recent run to form as they defeated Qarabag 3-0 on their Europa League return.

Goals in both halves from Brennan Johnson, Pape Matar Sarr and Dominic Solanke saw Ange Postecoglou’s men secure a hard earned victory after being reduced to ten men five minutes into the match.

Qarabag missed a penalty early into the second half after missing a couple of great opportunities in the first as they return to Azerbaijan empty handed.

Here are five things we learnt from the match…

Dragusin howler will not help chances to start

Radu Dragusin’s Tottenham career just has not got going. Not overly convincing in the games he has played, and when trying to get ahead of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero in the pecking order, having constant off days is the last thing he will want. Tonight was a chance for the Romanian to impress and assure Ange Postecoglou that he can be trusted in the big games. Five minutes in and his match was over, miss-controlling the ball before bringing down the Qarabag forward and getting his marching orders.

Johnson’s hot streak continues

Brennan Johnson continued his new found form as he made it three goals in three games for Spurs. The winger, who has been subject to abuse which led to him deleting his social media, calmly slotted past the Qarabag goalkeeper 10 minutes in after brilliant work from Dominic Solanke in the buildup. It was exactly what Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham needed after Radu Dragusin’s sending off five minutes earlier.

Sloppy Spurs saved by poor Qarabag finishing

Tottenham were for larger periods of the match the far more dominant side, but Qarabag showed the north Londoners the quality they do possess on their day. The Azerbaijani’s were much more confident on the ball than their hosts, and were it not for poor finishing could have walked away from the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with a point or maybe more. Instead, they let Spurs off the hook and left with a loss.

Mixed fortunes for Spurs’ 18-year-old stars

Tonight’s match was another opportunity for Ange Postecoglou to unshackle some of the young talent he has at his disposal, but Dragusin’s early sending of meant this would not be the case for Swedish star Lucas Bergvall, who was the unlucky recipient, being subbed off in the aftermath. His frustration was clear to see on the TV screens, but the same can’t be said for Archie Gray, who put in another assured performance at right back. The former Leeds youngster formed a good relationship with Johnson on the right hand side in a fullback role that is not his natural position.

Vicario shines when Spurs need him most

The scoreline between Tottenham and Qarabag does not tell the whole story, with the visitors causing their hosts a whole load of problems throughout the match. But Guglielmo Vicario was on top form for Postecoglou’s men, pulling off vital saves and timing his decisive actions perfectly when Spurs needed composure during the tough periods in the match. Strong in the air, sharp in decision making and brilliant in his shot stopping, it was a great display from the Italian.