Asteras Tripoli vs. Tottenham: Score, Grades and Reaction from Europa League

Tottenham Hotspur ran out 2-1 winners against Asteras Tripoli of Greece on Thursday, maintaining their position as joint leaders of Europa League Group C with two rounds of matches to go.

Andros Townsend and Harry Kane got the goals for Spurs, who remain unbeaten in Europe this season, with the downside for the visitors being a red card for Federico Fazio in the dying minutes.

Asteras started the game brightly, threatening early and looking in no way overawed by their English opposition, in front of a vocal home crowd.

At the other end, Spurs struggled to find a telling pass in the final third and Asteras did a fine job of closing them down.

However, a breakthrough arrived for Mauricio Pocchetino's team just after the half-hour mark, when Townsend was adjudged to have been fouled by Khalifa Sankare.

The England winger stepped up and duly dispatched his left-footed shot expertly into the corner to give Spurs the lead.

Townsend helped double Spurs' advantage soon after, when he crossed for the in-form Kane to head home just before half-time.

Anastasios Tsokanis missed a great chance early in the second half for Asteras, who emerged with renewed purpose after the interval.

The Greek side had other chances too, including Pablo Mazza hitting the post, and eventually pulled a goal back when Fazio conceded a penalty and earned himself a straight red card in the process.

Jeronimo Barrales was the man fouled, and he was also the man to score from the spot on 88 minutes to prompt a nervous conclusion which Spurs managed to negotiate without further damage.

Tottenham complete their Europa League group stage action with games against Partizan (at home) and Besiktas (away). 

Player ratings

Vorm	7
Davies	6.8
Vertonghen	6.8
Fazio	6.7
Dier	7.3
Dembele	7.7
Stambouli	6.7
Lamela	6.9
Eriksen	6.9
Townsend	9.2
Kane	7.9

Kosicky	6
Panteliadis	6.4
Zisopoulos	7.1
Sankare	6.4
Lluy	7.1
Usero	6.3
Munafo	6.9
Tsokanis	6.1
Rolle	6.6
Mazza	7
Parra	6

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