Mainy’s Verdict: Spurs cruise to victory against Pacos de Ferreira and progress to Conference League group stages

Europa Conference League Play Off Second Leg

Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 (3-1 agg) Pacos de Ferreira

Kane 9,34

Antunes og  70

What happened

A strong Tottenham side cast aside Portuguese side Pacos de Ferreira in a 3-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday to progress to the group stages of the Europa Conference League.

Harry Kane, who made his first Spurs start of the season following rumours of a move to Manchester City, scored two and later an own goal following Giovani Lo Celso’s free kick put Nuno Espirito Santo’s side 3-0 up.

Spurs could’ve been in front just 23 seconds in when a long ball over the top put Kane through but he could only curl wide when one-on-one with the visiting ‘keeper.

Eight minutes later, the hosts were in front when Harry Winks played a good ball over the top to Bryan Gil, who squared the ball to Kane and he put the ball away from close range.

Kane doubled Tottenham’s lead in the 34^th minute when Lo Celso provided the goods for the striker to blast home – again from close range.

Pacos provided more of a threat in the second half, but it was Spurs who continued to dominate possession.

In the 70^th minute, Tottenham made it three when Lo Celso’s free kick from the right-hand side hit Antunes on the way into the goal.

Pacos’ best chance came just moments later when Lucas Silva was one-on-one with Pierluigi Collini but the Spurs ‘keeper stood tall and blocked the attempted lob.

Son Heung-Min was one of a number of substitutes to come on for the hosts, and his 83^rd minute effort was turned onto the post by Pacos ‘keeper Andre Ferreira.

Talking points

Nuno’s team selection proved that this was a competition for Spurs to take seriously

Many people have said that the Europa Conference is Tottenham’s best chance of a trophy this year. It sure is, in my view. While the Premier League must be the priority, Spurs need to strike the right balance between experience and youth for this competition and the team he selected last night did exactly that, especially compared to the side he picked for the first leg.

Harry Kane has put the transfer speculation behind him, and his performance in front of goal showed that he’s a model professional

Kane announced a couple of days prior to last night’s game that he would be staying at Spurs following weeks of speculation regarding a possible move to Manchester City. Last night’s game was his first start of the season, and he didn’t look out of place at all. While very early on he could’ve and should’ve scored, he was good in front of goal as usual.

Bryan Gil looks promising

Having signed from Sevilla in the summer, youngster Bryan Gil played in an attacking midfield role for most of the game and proved to be very effective. He was great on the ball and demonstrated his pace too. Nuno has other options at his disposal, but I think Gil could be instrumental to their Conference League campaign.

Pacos set up negatively and were destined to fail as a result

Pacos set up with a 5-4-1 formation and sat very deep. Tottenham exploited this with long balls over the top and some of these attempts proved successful and others not. It was clear what Spurs set out to do though tactically. Spurs set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation and Gollini in the Tottenham goal had very little to do. If you want to make the group stages, at least give it a go Pacos and don’t give Spurs free-reign to attack for 90 minutes!

Tottenham player ratings

Tottenham

Pierluigi Gollini – 5: Didn’t have a great deal to do, but when called upon he looked rather nervous.

Matt Doherty – 6: Didn’t do much, but didn’t really put a foot wrong. Just a bit slow on the right hand side.

Eric Dier – 6 Not a lot to do in defence due to Pacos’ lack of an attacking threat. Fine when called upon.

Cristian Romero – 6: As mentioned above with Dier

Ben Davies – 6.5: Fitted well into the system, didn’t really get forward but again didn’t have a lot to do.

Giovani Lo Celso – 8: Lo Celso played really well and showed that he could adapt when his manager made changes. He played as a holding midfielder for most of the game but moved into attacking midfield towards the end of the game. Good going forward and a good passer of the ball.

Harry Winks – 7: Didn’t really put a foot wrong in midfield, and a couple of good balls over the top.

Ryan Sessegnon – 6: Not really involved in the game to a great extent but no noticeable mistakes.

Bryan Gil –  7.5: Looked good going forward, and linked up well with Kane. Showed a good ability to adapt from attacking midfield to a winger too.

Lucas Moura – 6: Not a lot of involvement in the game. He can certainly do better.

Harry Kane: 7.5- Took his two goals well and should’ve really had a hat-trick.

Subs

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6: Didn’t do much to affect the game in his time on the pitch.

Dele Alli – 6: Didn’t really have enough time to make much of an impact on the pitch. One or two touches in his seven or so minutes of game time.

Steven Bergwijn – 6: No real noticeable impact.

Son Heung-Min: 7: Looked good, and really should’ve scored. Good amount of pace.

Pacos de Ferreira: A Ferreira, J Silva, Baixinho, Ramos, Maracas, Antunes (Fonseca 76), Delgado (Ferreira 69), Eustaquio (Santos 76), Pires, L Silva (Uilton 77), Denilson (Tanque 69).

Booked: Antunes, Denilson, Pires.

Attendance: 30,215

Mainy’s Verdict: Shrimps come from behind to dump Rovers out of Carabao Cup

Carabao Cup First Round

Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Morecambe

Dolan 22 Stockton 52 Phillips 84 pen

What happened

Stephen Robinson picked up his first win as Morecambe boss as his side came from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 at Ewood Park in the Carabao Cup First Round on Tuesday night.

Blackburn started the game much better than the Shrimps and Tyrhys Dolan’s diving header put them in front 22 minutes in.

Tony Mowbray’s side could’ve and should’ve been two or three up at first time but their chances went begging with Ben Brereton Diaz managing to fire over the bar when it looked easier to score. Morecambe ‘keeper Jokull Andresson was also forced into action on a number of occasions.

Robinson made a number of changes at half time – reverting to a back three and bringing Liam Gibson and Toumani Diagouraga on at half time.

The Shrimps looked a totally different side in the second half, and within seven minutes were back on level terms when Cole Stockton got on the end of a good ball from Jonah Ayunga and he smashed the ball past Rovers ‘keeper Thomas Kaminski.

Morecambe had much more of the ball in the second half and were awarded a penalty when Greg Leigh was brought down in the box. Adam Phillips smashed the ball right down the middle to send the 908 Shrimps fans wild.

Rovers had one last chance towards the end but Andresson pulled off an excellent save to deny Sam Gallagher in added time.

TALKING POINTS

Robinson’s half time changes were key to the victory

During the first half, the Shrimps’ defence was too narrow and it looked rather nervous. There was a lack of communication between centre-backs Sam Lavelle and Anthony O’Connor and ‘keeper Jokull Andresson.

The Shrimps also gave Rovers lots of space on the wings, allowing Ben Brereton Diaz lots of breathing room on the left and Ryan Nyambe looked impressive on the right.

A goal was inevitable, and as mentioned earlier it should’ve been two or three at half time.

At the break, Kelvin Mellor was rightly replaced and Liam Gibson played as a centre-half in a back three and Shane McLoughlin moved to right wing-back. Toumani Diagouraga also came on and made a real difference. However, Gibson had to come off injured, which is another blow.

Diagouraga was an engine room in midfield as always

Toumani Diagouraga, who was the oldest Shrimps player on the field, never looked out of place. His ball control is absolutely brilliant and he was excellent in setting up attacks.

Greg Leigh was also impressive

Greg Leigh, who made his competitive debut for Stephen Robinson’s side at left-back, looked very good on the ball and was excellent going forward. He looks like an exciting player. Given Liam Gibson’s injury, Leigh will be required more than ever and he looks like he will succeed in that position.

Another man added to the injury list

Unfortunately Liam Gibson came off injured after coming on at half time. From what Robinson said after the game, it doesn’t sound good and he could be out for a few months. Morecambe now have Jonathan Obika, Ryan Delaney, Liam Gibson and Josh McPake on the injury list. McPake is nearing a return however, but the others (especially Obika’s) seem more long term.

The fans were AMAZING

908 travelling Shrimps fans, selling out their allocation of advanced tickets, were in full voice and got well behind their team as always. The drum only just made it through the turnstiles but I was so glad it did as it really helped! What a time to be a Morecambe fan right now!

PLAYER RATINGS

Jokull Andresson – 8: Made some crucial saves to keep us in the game. It’s very hard to pick between him and Kyle Letheren as to who should be first choice.

Kelvin Mellor – 4: Looked way off the pace and was rightly replaced at half time.

Anthony O’Connor – 7: Grew into the game as it went on.

Sam Lavelle – 6: Not at his best, satisfactory performance.

Greg Leigh – 8: Looked very good on the ball, great going forward.

Callum Jones – 6: Had little to do but didn’t look out of place.

Shane McLoughlin – 7: Didn’t look out of place in midfield, looked good as a right wing-back as well when moved there.

Adam Phillips – 8: Looked good, took his penalty well and spotted the ‘keeper off his line in the first half and nearly scored. Will be interesting to see how he fits in Robinson’s system as the season goes on.

Wes McDonald – 6: Rather quiet and replaced at half time. Think there’s more to come from him though.

Cole Stockton – 8: Another solid performance, excellent start to the season. Held the ball up and took his goal well.

Jonah Ayunga – 8: Good bit of pace on the flanks, good assist for Stockton’s goal too.

Subs

Gibson – 6: Didn’t look out of place at CB, shame about his injury.

Diagouraga – 8: Never looked out of place. His ball control is absolutely brilliant and he was excellent in setting up attacks.

Mensah – N/A: Wasn’t really on the field long enough to judge, but congratulations to him on his debut.

Blackburn Rovers team: Kaminski, Magloire (Davenport 65), Lenihan, Carter, Nyambe, Travis, Buckley (Butterworth 45), Rothwell (Gallagher 66), Pickering, Brereton Diaz, Dolan.

Booked; Davenport and Buckley.

Subs not used: Rae Cirino, Pike, Garrett, Eastham.

Attendance: 5,283 (908 away).

Next up in the Carabao Cup

The Shrimps will host Preston North End in the second round of the cup (w/c 23 August). A very exciting tie indeed, the Mazuma sure will be packed!