Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino praised Andros Townsend after last night's win over AEL Limassol at White Hart Lane

Published: 29 August, 2014
by PAUL COWLING at White Hart Lane

Europa League Play-Off – Second Leg
SPURS 3, AEL LIMASSOL 0 (Spurs win 5-1 on aggregate)

SPURS were paired with Besiktas, Partizan Belgrade and Asteras Tripoliseased in the group stages of the Europa League today (Friday) following their straightforward win over Cypriot side AEL Limassol in the qualifying round.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg, Tottenham went on to net a 5-1 aggregate victory over AEL as they won 3-0 at White Hart Lane last night despite making nine changes from the side that beat QPR 4-0 on Sunday

It was a frustrating night for Mauricio Pochettino's men until first-half injury-time when Harry Kane opened the scoring with a neat finish. Kane had earlier missed a penalty, which had been awarded in the fifth minute after Kyle Naughton was brought down in the box by AEL keeper Karim Fegrouch. Fegrouch was injured in the process and was taken off on a stretcher.

After the lengthy wait, Kane's spot-kick was saved by substitute keeper Pulpo Romero, but Pochettino was quick to praise the young striker's “character” following the penalty miss. “That is football,” he said. “But it was important that he still scored. He has a strong mind.”

Buoyed by the goal, Spurs tore into the visitors in the second half. Paulinho punished slack defending by drilling home a second goal on 49 minutes, before Andros Townsend added a third goal from the spot.

Pochettino said he was delighted with Townsend's contribution, and dismissed suggestions that the midfielder would be sold in the current transfer window. “It was good for him to get 90 minutes under his belt. Andros is an important member of our squad.”

SPURS: Lloris, Naughton, Kaboul, Chiriches (Veljkovic 85), Davies, Sandro (Holtby 77), Lennon, Paulinho, Dembelé, Townsend, Kane.
Subs not used: Friedel, Rose, Adebayor, Dier, Chadli.
Attendance: 29,976.