Final score

7 March 2013 21:05

Tottenham
8' (2nd half) Vertonghen
18' Sigurdsson
6' Bale
3 - 0
Inter
Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz / Linesmen: Pau Cebrian Devis, Javier Aguilar Rodriguez / Fourth official: Roberto Diaz Perez Del Pa / Assistants: Carlos Clos Gomez, Carlos Del Cerro Grande
Minute Text commentary
46' The first half comes to a close with Tottenham leading Inter by two goals to nil
45' One minute of added time to be played
43' Alvarez with another chance: this time his effort is deflected behind for a corner. Inter have stepped up a gear now
42' Cassano picks out Alvarez and the Argentine is clean through on goal but skews his shot wide of the far past
41' Bale knocks a ball forward for Defoe to run onto down the wing, Ranocchia tracks his man and puts the ball out of play
39' Handanovic gets down well to smother Sigurdsson's long-range effort
36' Sigurdsson's delivery is met in the air by Bale but this time he can't get his header on target
33' Gargano's cross from deep ends up in Friedel's arms
31' Cassano curls in a corner, Ranocchia gets up to meet it but nods wide of goal
30' A ball is played into the box for Alvarez but Vertonghen wins it in the air
29' Defoe gets a sight on goal and releases a shot, Ranocchia slides across to make the block and deflect the ball away
27' Vertonghen rises at the far post and heads an up-and-under back across goal: Handanovic palms it to safety over the bar
24' Cassano slides a ball through to Pereira but Friedel is out to the edge of his area to collect
23' Dembele gets a foot in to stop Alvarez just outside the box
18' GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM: Defoe's shot on the turn draws a superb save from Handanovic but Sigurdsson is on hand to poke home the rebound
17' Alvarez lays it off for Kovacic on the edge of the box and the youngster dinks an effort not far over the bar
14' Bale is booked for diving in the area. He'll now miss the return leg in San Siro through suspension
13' Bale has a go from distance but Handanovic makes a comfortable save
10' Juan stops Lennon from breaking into the box
9' Lennon tries to play in Bale down the right, Chivu snuffs out the danger
8' Handanovic does brilliantly to deny Defoe the chance to make it two
6' GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM: Sigurdsson picks out Bale in the box and the Welshman heads beyond Handanovic to give Spurs the lead
3' Inter shift the ball around well in midfield before Alvarez gets to advance into Spurs territory. He tries his luck with an ambitious effort that flies high into the stands
2' Walker is released down the right wing and charges upfield. He crosses to the edge of box where Bale scuffs his effort
1' Welcome to White Hart Lane in North London for tonight's Europa League last-16 first leg between Villas-Boas' high-flying Spurs and Stramaccioni's Nerazzurri. Stay with us for live text commentary: we'll be kicking off in just over half an hour (20:05 local time)
1' Spurs take the kick-off and we're up and running. FORZA INTER!!!
1' Ranocchia and Cassano both return to the starting line-up while 18-year-old Kovacic is set to feature in midfield
Minute Text commentary
48' The referee blows the final whistle: Tottenham 3-0 Inter
47' Zanetti lays off for Jonathan but the Brazilian is flagged for offside
45' The referee awards three minutes of stoppage time
43' A ball is hit towards Palacio, Naughton heads clear
43' Guarin tries his luck but the shot takes a deflection and Friedel gathers it easily
40' Cassano bends a cross into the box looking for Guarin but it's a fraction too far ahead of him and runs behind for a goal kick
38' Assou-Ekotto halts Jonathan in his tracks on the right flank
37' Naughton comes on for Lennon
35' Holtby shoots from range: Handanovic is a match for it
34' Palacio is played in by Pereira but the linesman's flag is up
32' Pereira is booked for a challenge on Lennon
29' Palacio is through on goal but his low shot is deflected away by Friedel's foot
27' Guarin goes into the ref's book for diving
26' Tottenham substitution: Sigurdsson is replaced by Holtby
25' Lennon shows a flash of pace to break into the box, Handanovic closes down the angle and blocks the winger's finish
22' Last substitution for Inter: Alvarez off, Jonathan on
21' Defoe bursts forward with the ball, Zanetti backs off using all his experience before picking the right moment to make a vital interception
19' Tottenham make a change: Livermore comes on for Dembele
18' Handanovic gets a hand on Defoe's stinging drive and the ball trickles behind for a corner
16' Bale curls a left-footer a yard wide of the near post
13' Bale seeks out Vertonghen, Handanovic claims it
11' Ball played forward for Palacio but it runs too far ahead of him and out of play
10' Kovacic makes way for Guarin
8' GOAL FOR TOTTENHAM: 3-0 to the hosts. Vertonghen gets on the end of a corner and nods downwards into the back of the net
6' Pereira battles his way into a decent position in the box but then can only drag a cross-shot across the face of goal
5' Palacio is flagged for offside
4' Bale loops a free kick over to the far post where Vertonghen fails to coordinate himself properly and knocks the ball wide
2' Zanetti cuts across to shut out Sigurdsson, who had been played in by Bale
1' The second half is under way here at White Hart Lane
1' Stramaccioni made a substitution during the interval: Palacio is on for Juan Jesus
Zanetti
4.22
4.22
Cambiasso
2.95
2.95
Chivu
6.98
6.98
Ranocchia
3.61
3.61
Alvarez
2.91
2.91
Jonathan
2.91
2.91
Jesus
3.35
3.35
Guarin
3.23
3.23
Palacio
3.64
3.64
Handanovic
6.69
6.69
Cassano
3.35
3.35
Gargano
2.91
2.91
Pereira
2.89
2.89
Kovacic
3.33
3.33
Average rating 3.78
12 shots on target 2
3 shots off target 5
9 fouls committed 9
5 corners 3
1 offsides 5
ball possession
Spurs on nine-match unbeaten run in Europe

Tottenham haven't lost a game European competition since 30 November 2011 when they lost 1-2 at home to PAOK FC in the Europa League group stage. In the nine matches since then they have put together four wins and five draws.

Spurs unbeaten at home against Italian sides

Tottenham are facing an Italian outfit for the tenth time and have a slight edge: three wins, four draws and two defeats. Tottenham are hosting an Italian opponent for the fifth time in European competition and are yet to lose, with two wins and two draws (both 0-0) so far.

No goals for Tottenham in 280 minutes against Italian opposition

Tottenham have not scored against an Italian team in a competitive match since the 1-0 win against AC Milan at the San Siro on 15 February 2011, in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Peter Crouch grabbed the matchwinner on 80 minutes. Since then, adding up the remaining 10 minutes of that match plus the 0-0 draws against AC Milan (the 2nd leg) and Lazio (in two group matches of the 2012/13 Europa League), they haven't hit the net in 280 minutes.

Palacio closing in on Boninsegna's record

Rodrigo Palacio has notched up seven goals in the 2012/13 Europa League so and is just two away from Roberto Boninsegna's record. The forward is the Nerazzurri’s all-time top scorer in the Fairs Cup/UEFA Cup/Europa League with nine strikes in the 1969/70 season.

Inter on the goal trail

Inter have scored at least once in each of their last 12 competitive games played, racking up 23 goals in the process. They last drew a blank on 6 January, when they lost 0-3 away to Udinese in Serie A.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(0) draws(0) defeats(1)

starting lineups

Friedel 1 Handanovic
Walker 4 Zanetti
Gallas 23 Ranocchia
Vertonghen 26 Chivu
Assou-Ekotto 40 Jesus
Dembele 21 Gargano
Parker 19 Cambiasso
Lennon 11 Alvarez
Bale 10 Kovacic
Sigurdsson 31 Pereira
Defoe 99 Cassano

substitutes

Lloris 27 Belec
Dawson 28 Pasa
Caulker 33 Mbaye
Carroll 42 Jonathan
Holtby 14 Guarin
Livermore 24 Benassi
Naughton 8 Palacio