ANTONIO CONTE took all three points in his first Tottenham game – but not without a fight from Vitesse Arnhem.
The Italian made a dream start to his reign, with Spurs firing THREE goals in the first 30 minutes through Son Heung-min, Lucas Moura and a Rasmussen own goal.
But the visitors hit back through Rasmussen – at the correct end this time – and Matus Bero to make it game on in North London.
Spurs though were able to hold firm despite losing Romero to a second-bookable offence on the hour mark, before Vitesse saw goalkeeper Schubert and their skipper Doekhi sent for an early bath.
- Final score: Tottenham 3-2 Vitesse
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ARRIVEDERCI
Five evenings on from the misery of Manchester United, Spurs fans are flying high with Antonio’s army.
The same deficiencies may have been on display, particularly in defence, but the atmosphere around the stadium and – you suspect – within the dressing room is completely different.
In a season short on drama, Conte’s first game brought it in abundance. Five goals, three red cards, triple substitutions, a surrendered lead, and then a resolute performance to see the game out to a winning conclusion.
The watching pundits were quick to point out that Spurs wouldn’t get away with such a showing in the Premier League, and there isn’t long until we find out if that’s the case. Conte takes his new club to Everton on Sunday, and you’ll be able to follow the action with us here.
Until then, thank you and goodnight.
CONTE REACTION
Antonio Conte has appeared in front of the cameras to discuss his first game as Tottenham boss. While he didn’t appreciate some elements of the performance, the Italian admitted he was pleased that his players came through a testing evening to win.
It was a crazy game. Usually, I don’t like these types of games. Crazy games mean anything can happen. But at the same time, I thought we should have won and we did.
We were winning 3-0 and then conceded two goals that we should avoid. Then, after the red card, we were in trouble. But to win suffering is good for these players, and they needed to improve their confidence. They needed to work a lot.
Antonio Conte
BOX OFFICE BOSS
Spurs fans had been starved of entertainment this season, but had it in abundance in Antonio Conte’s first game in charge – and yet still retained some typical Tottenham characteristics in their performance.
Credit: @OptaJoe Twitter
G WHIZZ
Spurs are up to second in Group G, ahead of this evening’s beaten opponents. Leaders Rennes were also victorious, but if the Londoners win their last two matches, they will qualify for the next stage of the Europa Conference League as group winners.
- Rennes 1-0 Mura
- Spurs 3-2 Vitesse
Credit: UEFA.Com FULL TIME STATS
Twenty-six attempts on target, five goals and three red cards: Antonio Conte’s first match in charge may have been short on quality at times, but it didn’t lack entertainment.
Credit: UEFA.Com FT: SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
Welcome to Spurs, Antonio Conte. In his first game in charge, the Italian coach saw his side race into a three-goal lead, only to be pegged back to 3-2 before the break. The Dutch side dominated the ball in the second period but couldn’t make the most of a one-man advantage after Cristian Romero’s red card, and eventually had two of their own players sent off in the final stages.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
THE FINAL WHISTLE IS BLOWN!
AND BREATHE!SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
90+2. Lo Celso with the chance to seal it! Wide!
The substitute is played in smartly by Ndombele, and looks set to score.
However, he pulls his shot towards the near post and finds it brilliantly turned behind by Houwen.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
90. There will be five minutes of additional time to be played.
What else can this ridiculous game throw at us?
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
88. Giovani Lo Celso is on for Spurs, and I know what you’re thinking. There’s still time for this to go horribly wrong.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg departs.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
86. Thomas Buitink is sacrificed for Vitesse substitute goalkeeper Jeroen Houwen.
It’s incredibly sad that we no longer see outfield player ending up in goal.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
84. How quickly a game can change?!
Vitesse Arnhem are down to nine men with goalkeeper Markus Schubert sent off for deliberate handball.
It didn’t look deliberate, and the German stopper is convinced it wasn’t even handball, but it is the result of a mindless decision to race out of his goal for a ball he had no chance of reaching.
Emerson was always going to be the clear winner to a ball played down the right, and when the Brazilian lobbed his effort goalwards, it bounced up off Schubert’s arm and the rest was inevitable.
GOALKEEPER MARKUS SCHUBERT IS SENT OFF!!
VITESSE ARE DOWN TO NINE MEN!!SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
82. Inside the final ten minutes and, with that red card, you feel Spurs may just have weathered the storm.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
80. Harry Kane may not be having much luck in front of goal, but he still knows how to trouble defenders.
The Tottenham striker is too strong for Danilho Doekhi as he wrestles away from him to face goal, and then goes to ground when the Dutch defender leans into him.
A second yellow card appears from the pocket of Marco Di Bello, and Vitesse’s one man advantage has disappeared.
A SECOND YELLOW CARD FOR DANILHO DOEKHI!!
IT’S TEN MEN APIECE!!SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
79. Kane buys Spurs some time by winning a free-kick upfield after tempting Bazoer into a foul.
It’s a yellow card too for the Dutch midfielder.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
77. Patched up with a white bandage around his head, Sanchez is back on the pitch after treatment.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
75. Ouch! Introductions to the game don’t get more painful than this.
Sanchez heads clear from the edge of his own box, but, in doing so, gets clattered in the face by the boot of Doekhi.
There’s blood everywhere, but that’s the only red on show. The card shown to the Vitesse defender is yellow.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
73. Antonio has seen enough and here comes that triple change.
On comes Davinson Sanchez, Harry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele. Off go Lucas Moura, Oliver Skipp and Son Heung-min.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
72. Buitlink holds off his man to get his shot away from the edge of the box. It deflects behind and goes for another Vitesse corner.
It’s their seventh of the night. Spurs have yet to have a single corner of their own.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
69. Lloris is keeping Spurs ahead almost single-handedly.
In fact, it’s a single hand that he uses here to turn Bazoer’s long range effort.
It’s the Tottenham goalkeeper’s third brilliant save of the night.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
67. Antonio Conte is preparing a triple substitution.
He’s just an Italian Barry Fry.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
65. Vitesse probe again and win a corner.
Once more, a cross from the left makes it all the way through to Dasa at the far post, but the defender fires his chance over.
SPURS 3-2 VITESSE
63. Buitlink is yellow carded for crashing into Dier. The free-kick will give Spurs a chance to regroup with their one man disadvantage if nothing else.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
