Jermain Defoe said his farewells to the Lane faithful last night

Published: 28 February, 2014
by PAUL COWLING at White Hart Lane

Europa League
SPURS 3, DNIPRO 1 (Spurs win 3-2 on aggregate)

SPURS made it through to the last 16 of the Europa League, but did it the hard way after coming from 2-0 down on aggregate thanks to a red card for their opponents and goals from Christian Eriksen and two from Emmanuel Adebayor.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Ukraine, coach Tim Sherwood made five changes from Sunday's defeat at Norwich, bringing in Roberto Soldado to partner Adebayor. There was also a starting place for Zeki Fryers following his England U-21 call-up.

"I thought we'd need three goals," said a relieved Sherwood after the match. "I was delighted with the character of the team. We are Tottenham and we will fight until the end."

After a frustrating first half for the home side, it was disaster two minutes after the restart, when Roman Zozulya headed the Ukrainian visitors into a 1-0 lead  and 2-0 on aggregate.

Spurs suddenly needed three goals. They thought they'd reduced the arrears on 52 minutes but an Eriksen effort was ruled out for offside. The Dane did however pull a goal back three minutes later with a curling free-kick.

The match was turned on its head on the hour mark when Zozulya was sent off for appearing to headbutt Jan Vertonghen.

It's hard to see whether Spurs would have got the three further goals they would probably have needed to be sure of winning, if Dnipro hadn't been reduced to ten men; they were the better side up until then, and comfortably heading through. Spurs just didn't look like scoring, whereas Dnipro looked a threat going forward.

But with the tide turned, Eriksen then turned provider for Adebayor who prodded the ball home for 2-1 Spurs and 2-2 on aggregate in the 65th minute.

Needing another goal, Spurs got it four minutes later when Adebayor chested down a pass from Fryers and tapped in from close range.

Mindful of a killer away goal on the break, Spurs slowed the play. Soldado could have settled the nerves in the 80th minute but his effort missed the target.

At the other end Yevhen Cheberyachko forced a save from Hugo Lloris.

Lloris kept out a goal-bound free-kick from the dangerous Yevhen Konoplyanka in injury time, as Spurs held on and set themselves up for a two-legged tussle with Benfica in the last 16.

"This win was a platform for us," said Sherwood, who turned his attention to the Benfica tie. "They (Benfica) are a great club. I will look forward to it, but only if we win."

SPURS COMMENT by Paul Cowling

IT'S perhaps a measure of the quality of Jermain Defoe that he still finds himself in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the friendly with Denmark next Wednesday.

That is because by the weekend, Defoe, who is 31, will be heading out to Canada to play for MLS side Toronto FC.

"Good luck Defoe we will miss you", read a felt-tip sign held aloft by a young fan.

But it's bad luck for Spurs. It's got to be at least three seasons too early – Defoe, after all, is Tottenham's fifth highest goalscorer with 143 goals. Surely Spurs could still do with him as they struggle to stay in touch with Liverpool and that Champions League berth.

Defoe knows where the back of the net is, and Spurs fans love him for it, judging by the roar he got at half-time of the Dnipro match.

"I am speechless," said Defoe, as he was presented to the crowd. "I'll never forget the support here."

Asked about his Spurs highlight, it was the five-goal salvo in the 9-1 win over Wigan. And his best goal? "Against West Ham in 2012," said the Spurs favourite.

After the nervy aggregate win over their Ukrainian visitors, Coach Tim Sherwood said Defoe would be "sorely missed".

Defoe might be in the England squad now, but will he be in it come the end of May, when Hodgson picks his 23 for Brazil? 

"Toronto FC and England" just doesn't sound right, no matter how good a striker you are.

I bet supporters of the Canadian club can't believe they have him. And I bet Spurs fans wish they still did.