LONDON (AFP) – Tottenham started their Europa League campaign with a 3-0 win against Qarabag despite playing more than 80 minutes with 10 men, but Son Heung-min gave the north Londoners an injury scare on Thursday.
Radu Dragusin’s early dismissal was no obstacle for Ange Postecoglou’s side, who cruised to victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, Pape Sarr and Dominic Solanke.
However, the sight of South Korea forward Son being forced off in the 70th minute will be concerning for Postecoglou, who cannot afford to be without his talismanic captain for a long period.
“He said he was a bit tired but I haven’t spoken to him or the medical staff yet,” Postecoglou said.
With a healthy Son, the Europa League could offer a path to silverware for Postecoglou, who boasts that he always enjoys success in his second season as he seeks to end a Tottenham trophy drought dating back to 2008.
Sterner tests await Tottenham but they delivered a confident opener, once the game – delayed for 37 minutes after Qarabag were caught in heavy traffic – finally got underway.
“I wasn’t happy as I felt we started really sloppy. It was almost like the delay got to us,” Postecoglou said.
“The reaction after the red card was good. We kept pressing high.”
Tottenham weren’t fazed by being reduced to 10 men after just eight minutes when Romania defender Dragusin was sent off for pulling down Juninho as he raced through on goal.
They took the lead in the 12th minute through Johnson’s third goal in his last three games.
Qarabag conceded possession cheaply deep inside their own half and Solanke teed up Johnson for a composed finish from 10 yards.
Sarr volleyed Tottenham’s second from six yards after Qarabag keeper Mateusz Kochalski made a hash of catching a 52nd-minute corner.
Yves Bissouma’s foul on Elvin Cafarguliyev gave Qarabag a penalty four minutes later, but Toral Bayramov blazed the spot-kick over.
Solanke wrapped up the win in the 68th minute, slotting home to claim his second goal since his club record move from Bournemouth in the close season.
Fuming about his team’s transport issues, Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov said: “Imagine being caught in traffic for more than two and a half hours. There was no police to escort us. As soon as we arrived, we were told to start in 40 minutes. These things shouldn’t happen.”
Troubled Roma were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao after conceding a late equaliser at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma fans were furious with the club’s recent decision to sack boss Daniele De Rossi, an iconic figure during his time as a Giallorossi player, just four games into the season.
Given the unenviable task of replacing De Rossi, Ivan Juric inspired a 3-0 win against Udinese last weekend, but he was denied a second successive victory.
