Published: 13 December, 2013
by PAUL COWLING at White Hart Lane

Europa League, Group K
SPURS  4, ANZI MAKHACHKALA 1

ROBERTO Soldado scored his first home goals in open play with a confidence-boosting hat-trick in Spurs' final group game.

On a damp Winter's night, Spurs put to bed their Europa League campaign until the spring, as they put Russian side Anzi to the sword.

Both clubs had already qualified for the knockout stages, but it was still a free-flowing, entertaining game, largely because Anzi looked every bit a side who had gone 19 games without a win in their domestic League, while the Spurs players looked like they were vying for places in the starting line-up at home to Liverpool on Sunday.

After the match, Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas hailed Soldado's goal spree.

"It was important for him (Soldado) to get back his goal touch, and this has given him a major boost of confidence."

Soldado, who hadn't scored in five matches, opened the scoring in the 7th minute when he got his head to a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick. His second came when he fired in a low drive eight minutes later, after being set up by Erik Lamela.

The visitors pulled a goal back a minute before half-time, when Ewerton prodded home from a corner.

But it was all Spurs in the second half. Lewis Holtby put the result beyond doubt when he collected an Andros Townsend  chip and flicked the ball past keeper Evgeni Pomazan with his left foot. Then England Under-19 youngster Ryan Fredericks (on for Danny Rose) was brought down in the box. After waving away initial penalty appeals, the referee then awarded the spot-kick, which was duly converted by Soldado for his hat-trick and Spurs' fourth of the night.

In what was a meaningless game, Villas-Boas was still delighted with the outcome.

He said: "The players showed professionalism and dedication to entertain a good crowd."

This was six wins out of six for Spurs as they now prepare for the knockout stages.

Asked whether he wanted his former club Porto in the next round, Villas-Boas was quick to say no:

"I want them in the final," he said.

There are now more pressing issues for the Spurs coach – namely, how to deal with the threat of Luis Suarez on Sunday.

"He (Suarez) is a key player, and will be difficult to stop," said Villas-Boas.

With injuries to central defenders Jan Vertonghen and Younes Kaboul, and doubts that Vlad Chiriches will be fit in time, Villas-Boas knows he and his players have their work cut out against high-flying Liverpool. 

SPURS: Friedel, Naughton, Capoue, Fryers, Rose (Fredericks 46); Dembele (Eriksen, 63) Holtby; Lamela, Sigurdsson, Townsend; Soldado (Coulthirst 77)

Subs not used: Chadli, Dawson, Dombaxe, Archer