Champions League

TOTTENHAM 2 (Richarlison 76, 81)
MARSEILLE 0 (Mbemba sent off 47)

A RICHARLISON double set the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium alight tonight (Wednesday) as Antonio Conte’s men made a winning return to the Champions League after a two year hiatus.

The summer signing was given a starting berth at the expense of Dejan Kulusevski and visitors Marseille, flying high in their domestic league, found the Brazilian forward a handful from the start.

Richarlison’s two headed efforts – in a devastating five minute spell late on in the game – came against 10-men after referee Slavko Vincic had given Chancel Mbemba a straight red for taking out Heung-Min Son. After the incident, which came at the start of the second half, Spurs looked like the only victors.

Speaking after the game, Conte was full of praise for the match-winner: He said: “Richi was waiting for a night like this. When we signed him, he said he could not wait to come out, listen to the Champions League music and play in this competition.

“He said few words, but important words. This morning, I told him, ‘remember what you said?’ I said to him – ‘tonight you will have that chance. Do your best’.”

Conte also said was pleased how Spurs had shown they are comfortable at the Champions League table. The Tottenham boss added: “We have started this competition the best way possible. It was a difficult game and great to get three points.”

The first half was high on thrills, but low on quality. Driven forward by a boisterous atmosphere created by a sell out crowd, Spurs looked keen to put on as show.

It was all flicks, tricks and one-twos, but Marseille stood firm and were dangerous when they got their foot on the ball. On 14 minutes Son nearly stole the ball away from goalkeeper Pau Lopez but the Marseille shot-stopper – a teammate of Son’s at Spurs two years ago – did just enough to recover.

Marseille winger Nuno Tavares, on loan from north London rivals Arsenal, then tried a shot from range, but Hugo Lloris had it covered as it went wide.

On the half-hour mark Richarlison, who looked full of bustle and intent, brought the ball down on his chest and spread the play for Harry Kane to get away down the right. But instead of hitting a good cross to those storming in, Kane cut back and shot with his weaker foot – an effort that was well blocked.

The Son/Kane axis, which has not quite yet clicked into play this term, created Tottenham’s best chance of the first half. Son dashed forward and held the ball long enough to keep the defenders guessing. He finally played in Kane, but the England striker dragged his shot wide.

In reply, Matteo Guendouzi tried to give the visitors the lead on the stroke of half time with a shot that forced Lloris to a dive and parry. It was the first real save that the Tottenham keeper had to make.

Spurs got an early boost just two minutes into the second period when Kane’s trickery and Son’s pace combined to send Tottenham’s number seven through on goal. Defender Mbemba was beaten for speed and decided the best option was to take Son out. The referee didn’t need a second look before pulling out a straight red card.

The extra-man gave the home side added impetus, and the breakthrough came on 76 minutes when Ivan Perisic’s inch-perfect cross found Richarlison unmarked, and with a powerful leap the forward sent a header flashing past Lopez.

An almost identical finish came five minutes later, this time created by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – and again steered home by Richarlison to seal the 2-0 victory.

Tottenham: Lloris, Romero (Tanganga, 72), Dier, Lenglet (Davies, 72), Royal (Kulusevski, 60), Bentancur (Bissouma, 85), Hojbjerg, Perisic, Richarlison, Son (Doherty, 85), Kane
Substitutes not used: Forster, Skipp, Sanchez, Gil, Sessegnon, Spence, Sarr

Marseille: Lopez, Mbemba (sent off 47), Bailly, Gigot (Under, 87), Clauss (Kolasinac, 69), Rongier, Veretout (Gueye, 86), Tavares, Santos da Silva (Balerdi, 50), Guendouzi, Suarez (Harit, 71)
Substitutes not used: Ngapandouetnbu, Blanco, Payet, Kabore.