Besiktas vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Score, Grades and Reaction from Europa League

Tottenham Hotspur finished second in their UEFA Europa League group following a 1-0 defeat to Besiktas on Thursday at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.

After a scoreless first half that featured few clear chances, Besiktas improved considerably after the break and went ahead through Cenk Tosun in the 59th minute.

The match included two stoppages after the lights went out at the Ataturk Stadium, once in the eighth minute and again in second-half stoppage time.

With both teams having clinched progress to the Europa League's knockout phase before Matchday 6, Thursday's game determined only whether Besiktas or Spurs would advance as winners of Group C. That honour went to Besiktas, who will now enter the draw for the knockout phase as a seeded side after claiming top spot in the group with 12 points.

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Tottenham, who only needed a draw to win the group, finished second with 11 points.

Despite the defeat, Spurs still had reason for optimism with full-back Kyle Walker making his first appearance in nine months following an abdominal injury. Walker's return to the squad will boost manager Mauricio Pochettino's options in defence as Spurs enter the busy holiday period in the Premier League.

Up next for Tottenham is a trip to Swansea City on Sunday in the Premier League. Besiktas, who currently lead Turkey's Super Lig, play at Gaziantepspor the same day.

The match took an unexpected turn in the eighth minute as the lights went out in the stadium, suspending play on the pitch. Supporters illuminated the stands with mobile phones as the players left the playing surface, only to return after a delay of about 15 minutes.

Once play resumed, the match was not much more exciting.

In the ninth minute, Tosun directed a header on target but Michel Vorm saved easily. Five minutes later, Tottenham's Nacer Chadli had a low, speculative shot saved by Tolga Zengin.

Chadli put the ball in the back of the net in the 26th minute, but the goal was correctly ruled out in a tight offside decision.

Besiktas had a decent opening in the 30th minute, but Olcay Sahan curled over the bar after his initial shot was blocked. Four minutes later, Tottenham's Mousa Dembele shot weakly at Zengin from distance.

The first big chance of the second half fell to Besiktas in the 59th minute. Following a giveaway by Younes Kaboul, Tosun tried his luck from long range, thumping a powerful effort off the crossbar. 

It was a warning sign for Tottenham, and within moments Beskitas went ahead.

Gokhan Tore opened up Spurs' defence with a cross floated from the right flank to the back post. With his first touch, Sahan played a cushioned pass across the face of goal to Tosun, who lifted his finish over Vorm for a 1-0 lead.

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The goal sparked new life into the match. Tottenham came close to an equaliser in the 64th minute, Roberto Soldado sending a deflected shot off target from close range. One minute later, Danny Rose tested Zengen with a low shot from distance but the Besiktas goalkeeper saved.

At the other end, Kerim Frei blazed wide of the near post from a tight angle on the left after being set up by Jose Sosa in the 68th minute. Six minutes later, Sosa fired over the bar after cutting past a Tottenham defender near the byline on the right. 

As the match neared full time, the hosts continued to pose the greater danger as Tottenham struggled to create chances. In the 90th minute, the lights went out again, prompting another delay. 

When the delay was over, the players returned and played out three minutes of stoppage time to finish off the match.

Grades

Starting XI	Rating
Substitutes	Rating
Michel Vorm	6.4
Kyle Walker	6.7
Younes Kaboul	7.5
Vlad Chiriches	8.3
Danny Rose	7.0
Benjamin Stambouli	7.0
Mousa Dembele	7.4
Andros Townsend	6.4
Paulinho	7.5
Nacer Chadli	6.2
Roberto Soldado	6.1
Erik Lamela (for Soldado, 69')	6.0
Aaron Lennon (for Paulinho, 70')	6.0
Etienne Capoue (for Walker, 76')	6.2

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