Europa League: 6 Things We Learned in Tottenham's Draw in Greece

On Thursday, Tottenham played their second match of the Europa League group stage against Greek side Panathinaikos.

The result of the match at the Olympic Stadium in Athens was a 1-1 draw, with the hosts scoring an equalizer in the 77th minute.

With the draw, both clubs sit near the bottom of the Group J table—Spurs sit in third place with two points, and Panathinaikos sit in last place with just one point.

Here are six things we learned from Spurs' draw with the Greek side on Thursday.

Tottenham Are Still Haunted by the Late Goal

For the fourth time this season, Tottenham were denied a win by a late goal from their opponents.

On Thursday, Jose Toche's 77th-minute equalizer was the goal that forced Spurs to take just one point from the match.

Giving up a goal in the final 15 minutes has been a problem for Spurs, as it happened in their first four EPL matches. Only one of those goals was insignificant.

The other three late goals that were given up, against Newcastle, Norwich and West Brom in the EPL, cost the North London club a total of seven points as they lost one and drew two of those matches.

AVB's Lineup Choices Signal Intent to Win Europa League

Most managers see the Europa League as a second level competition, and they do not field many of their stars.

Andre Villas-Boas does not believe in that theory.

AVB has fielded a starting 11 in both matches that are out there to win matches.

Thursday's lineup included plenty of first-team regulars alongside keeper Hugo Lloris and defender Michael Dawson.

AVB has already made it clear that Lloris will replace Brad Friedel in net, but there is no step down in talent with the French keeper in net.

With a strong lineup like the one Spurs fielded in the Europa League, they will have no problem going far in the competition.

Michael Dawson's Lack of Playing Time Is a Liability to Spurs

Since his failed transfer to QPR this summer, Michael Dawson has been on the outside looking in at White Hart Lane.

Before Thursday, Dawson only started in one match, which was in the Capital One Cup against Carlisle United.

Everything was looking good for Dawson until the 77th minute when he was unable to keep up with Panathinaikos forward Jose Toche, who ran past the defender on the way to scoring the equalizer.

With his fault in defense causing the equalizer, Dawson may not be able to gain full match fitness under Andre Villas-Boas anytime soon.

Trust in Young Spurs Defenders Is Growing

Kyle Walker and Steven Caulker have their way up to the Tottenham first team and have impressed both their manager and fans all over England.

Walker had a breakout season at White Hart Lane last season and is now a consistent figure in Roy Hodgson's English lineup.

Caulker is slowly becoming a favorite of Villas-Boas in the Spurs lineup, and after an impressive stint on loan at Swansea last season, he is also catching the eye of the national team manager as he is also impressing at the U-21 international level.

One thing is for sure: You will be seeing a lot more of Walker and Caulker in Tottenham and England lineups for years to come.

Both Clubs Need a Win in Their Next Group Match

After Thursday's matches in Group J, Tottenham and Panathinaikos sit at the bottom of the group table behind Lazio and Maribor.

Tottenham have two points and sit in third place, while the Greeks sit in last place with just one point.

If both clubs want to prevent a crisis in the group, they will need to secure wins during the next match day.

On October 25, Tottenham will visit second-place Maribor and Panathinaikos will host Lazio.

Anyone Can Still Win Group J

Although Spurs and Panathinaikos have not won in Group J play yet, none of the other clubs in the group have declared themselves the true favorites.

The other group match on Thursday saw Lazio defeat Maribor 1-0 in Rome giving the Italians a slim lead in the group table.

Lazio are in first place with four points, Maribor have three, Spurs have two points and Panathinaikos have just one.

With just one win, the Greeks have the potential of going into first place, and with that last-to-first potential still out there, anyone can still advance to the knockout round.