Published: 26 February, 2016
by DAN CARRIER AT White Hart Lane

Europa League, Round of 32
SPURS 3, FIORENTINA 0 (Spurs go through 4-1 on aggregate)

SPURS cruised into the last 16 of the Europa League with a comprehensive 3-0 win against Italian side Fiorentina at White Hart Lane.

With crucial league games coming thick and fast in the next 10 days, Mauricio Pochettino shuffled his pack – and demonstrated he has tools at his disposal that suggest Tottenham can go much further in this season’s Europa League. Missing Harry Kane, Mousa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen made no difference to Pochettino’s team, nor did the manager’s eight changes from Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace. Instead, Spurs put the Italian side to the sword in some style.

Pochettinho said afterwards: “We showed character and played very well.

“I am very happy with the effort – but now we must recover our energy for Sunday’s match against Swansea.'

Fiorentina had knocked Spurs out last year at this stage – and while the Italians are enjoying a strong domestic season, sitting just six points off the top, they were no match for Tottenham’s high-energy game.

After some early shadow boxing, Spurs broke the deadlock on 25 minutes. A quick ball from Erik Lamela into Christian Eriksen’s feet drew defenders, and then the Dane spotted Ryan Mason bursting forward. Mason charged into the box and side-footed home neatly.

Fiorentina nearly found a response when Josip Ilicic fired narrowly wide. His shot beat Hugo Lloris, but not the far post.

With Fiorentina needing goals, Spurs found even more space in the second half. Chances came and went. On 54 minutes, Dele Alli got into a neat position and tried to hit a drive home. His shot took a deflection and spun wide. 

Then Lamela broke forward but was crowded out before he could release the ball to one of his team-mates. However, his moment was soon to come. On 62 minutes, the Argentine doubled the Spurs lead. Eriksen won control centrally and set Nacer Chadli free down the left. His shot was parried by Ciprian Tatarusanu in the Fiorentina goal but Lamela was on hand to spin and shoot home.

Spurs were totally dominant and the game was won by the time number three came. On 80 minutes, the impressive Kieran Trippier sent over a wicked low cross and, with Alli lurking, defender Gonzola Rodriguez steered it into his own net. The only blemish was a late yellow card for Alli, booked for what the referee believed was a dive. It was a poor decision, and means Alli will miss the first leg of the next round.

Spurs march on in Europe, with the last-16 draw taking place at noon today. Liverpool and Manchester United join Spurs in the hat, along with the likes of Borrusia Dortmund, Valencia, Lazio and Anderlecht. Spurs will fancy their chances of further progression – but now must turn their attentions to Swansea City’s Premier League visit on Sunday.

SPURS: Lloris, Alderweireld, Mason (Winks, 85), Lamela (Onomah, 75), Dier, Trippier, Alli, Chadli, Eriksen, Wimmer, Davies.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

ON this performance Spurs have little to fear from any of the teams joining them in today’s draw.

We keep hearing of how Spurs must pace themselves, and that they can’t fight on all fronts. But Pochettino’s tweaks show that perhaps there is the squad to get to the finish line. Nacer Chadli worked hard in Kane’s place up front, but unsurprisingly did not provide the same focal point. Instead, Alli and Eriksen held things up when needed.

Ryan Mason, who has hardly figured since November, capped a fine performance with a goal. He nearly had a second with a stunning volley late on – and showed that he can be a useful player to have fit for the run-in.