Published: 19 September, 2013
by PAUL COWLING at WHITE HART LANE

THREE  goals, three points – Tottenham did what was required of them to get their Europa League campaign off to a solid if unremarkable start, against Norwegian side Tromso.  
 
A 'Balesque' strike in the 86th minute from Christian Eriksen put a sheen on the night's work for Tottenham, who were already 2-0 up from the first half thanks to a brace from Jermain Defoe.
 
The England striker, one of six changes from Saturday's win at home to Norwich, took his European tally to 20 goals, and only two short of overhauling 1970s legend Martin Chivers.
 
With Defoe taking over from Roberto Soldado, who was on the bench, coach Andre Vilas-Boas had gone 4-2-3-1.
Erik Lamela made his full debut on the right behind Defoe, with Gylfi Sigurdsson on the left and the impressive Lewis Holtby in behind.
 
On 21 minutes Spurs went ahead. Hotlby fed Lamela, the Argentine timed his pass to Defoe who lifted the ball over Tromso goalkeeper Marcus Sahlman.
 
Eight minutes later Holtby found Defoe who ran on to place the ball under the hapless keeper to make it 2-0 Spurs.
 
Suddenly, Defoe, who a few weeks before had looked half fit for club and country, was getting his season underway.
Food for thought, maybe, for a watching Soldado in the comfy subs seats.
 
"I have to make a choice between Soldado and Defoe," said AVB after the match.
 
"At the moment we are playing with one striker up front and a No 10," said Villas-Boas, who hinted that his strategy appeared to be working.
 
"We've scored 15 goals in seven games and conceded one, which are good numbers for us, so we haven't yet seen a reason to change to 4-4-2. But this is an option for the future.
"Jermain is doing well. He and Soldado are competing and all of their performances have been excellent."
 
Villas-Boas was also pleased with Eriksen's strike – his first for the club.
 
"It was a very good goal, and really well taken.
 
"We were at a difficult stage in the game. He (Eriksen) has that finishing ability"
 
The visitors hadn't made the night difficult for Spurs. Although not exactly the Nordic equivalent of a pub team, Tromso were very ordinary, but they still frustrated Spurs and their fans, getting legs in front of the ball every time Spurs pressed forward.
 
Though easily comfortable at 2-0, Spurs were on snooze control and didn't seem to have enough in them to add to their tally.
Villas-Boas waved his arms around in frustration as one promising move after another, fizzled out.

On came Paulinho for Holtby, who deserved the applause from the appreciative crowd. Despite those few tired passes, the German had run himself into the ground with a performance of craft, chasing and industry.

Paulinho meanwhile brought some much-needed cohesion to midfield.

It was the Brazilian's crossfield pass that led to the third goal on the night.

Defoe picked up the pass, delivered to Kyle Naughton, who then set up Eriksen, who delivered a curling 25-yard right foot shot into the top left hand corner of the net. 3-0 Spurs.

For Tromso, it was back to their fight against relegation to the second tier of Norwegian football. For Spurs, it is onwards to Cardiff on Sunday, as they look to press home the good start they have made in the Premier League.
 
Tottenham may have to take on the Welsh side wiithout Danny Rose. The left-back limped off on 38 minutes with a foot injury.
 
"Danny is our main doubt (for Cardiff). We will have to see the reaction overnight," said AVB, though he was more confident about Moussa Dembele and Younes Kaboul, who both suffered minor injuries.

Kaboul left the field with Spurs having already used their three subs. Down to ten men, Spurs could have played out the match with five players, such was the gulf in class between the two sides.
 
It could be a little trickier in the next Group K fixture, as Spurs face Russian side Anzi away on October 3.
 
Spurs: Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Kaboul, Rose (Vertonghen 38); Dembele (Eriksen 64), Sandro, Holtby (Paulinho 71), Lamela, Defoe, Sigurdsson
 
Subs not used: Friedel, Townsend, Soldado, Kane
 
Attendance: 26,581