TOTTENHAM SLUMPED TO a shock Europa League exit as Gent’s 2-2 draw at Wembley gave the unfancied Belgians a stunning 3-2 aggregate success in the last 32 second leg on Thursday.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side trailed 1-0 from the first leg and they were unable to overturn the deficit despite twice leading on the night.
Christen Eriksen put Tottenham ahead before Gent levelled through Harry Kane’s own goal on the stroke of half-time.
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli was sent off for a horror challenge after the interval and although Victor Wanyama restored the hosts’ advantage, Jeremy Perbet’s late strike was enough to seal Gent’s upset in front of a new Europa League record attendance of 80,465.
With White Hart Lane being redeveloped, it was more Wembley misery for Tottenham, who had already endured defeats against Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen at their temporary European home which played a major role in their lacklustre elimination from the Champions League group stage this season.
After claiming this week that he can tell whether his team will do well after just 50 seconds of watching a match, Pochettino might have been reassured by Tottenham’s vibrant start.
It took just 10 minutes for Tottenham to take the lead as Gent’s defenders made a hash of dealing with a routine long ball down the right flank and Eriksen took full advantage, racing clear unhindered before slotting home with a clinical low finish.
Yet Eriksen’s first goal in his last 12 games in all competitions wasn’t the prelude for a nerve-free night for Tottenham.
Kane scored a hat-trick in Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round win at Fulham, but he found the net at the wrong end to gift Gent a 21st minute equaliser.
A Gent corner, wrongly given to the Belgians in the first place, was headed towards goal by Stefan Mitrovic and Kane tried to nod clear but only succeeded in glancing the ball past Tottenham goalkeeper Hugh Lloris and into the back of the net.
Kyle Walker tried to restore Tottenham’s lead with a stinging long-range strike that was well saved by Lovre Kalinic.
But Tottenham suffered another blow four minutes before half-time when Alli, frustrated seconds earlier when a challenge on him wasn’t given as a foul, launched into a horrific two-footed lunge on Brecht Dejaegere, drawing an instant red card.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Tottenham regained the lead in the 61st minute.
Walker looked to exchange passes with Eriksen on the edge of the box, but Kenya midfielder Wanyama latched onto it and scored with a powerful strike.
It was a false dawn however as a woeful blunder from Eric Dier ended Tottenham’s European campaign in the 82nd minute.
When Kalifa Coulibaly lofted over a cross, Dier should have dealt with it, but instead he chested carelessly down for French striker Perbet to prod the decisive finish past Lloris.
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Aldo’s loves talkin nonsense. Im 100% the next fight will be vs Halloway. Aldo prob holds the record in most pull outs and is p4p the biggest moaner in the UFC
Ariel Helwani tweeted that he fact checked everything Aldo said about UFC208 and the LW title shot in March after the interview and its 100% accurate.
At this stage the way everything is going in the UFC, why not. Probably Ferguson (if Khabib ducked Jose) and then McGregor II. Aldo to be the only man to get knocked out by the same man in 2 different weight class title fights? The interim title, if used properly, could be even better than the unfortunate “Number 1 contender” spot for the fighters, at least you have some guarantee you’ll get a title shot if you’re parading around with a belt.
What is it Conor says? “Losers focus on winners”
I’m fairly sure hundreds of people said that before Conor.
Yes. People have said words before.
Yea Brian, and people said “I’ll be back” before The Terminator did. Just because others have said a term doesn’t mean someone else can’t utter the phrase.
@Brian: Unfortunately Brian, Conor just tells it better. Because everyone can see it happening.
Well David the point wasn’t that nobody else can utter the phrase, the point was it wasn’t Conor who coined it. It was also recently made famous by LeBron James so if anything it’s his before Conors. I know the first comment went over your heard do I expect this one too.
*head
Aldo is now chasing Conor to save face. I never respected him when he was champ as he backed out of too many fights when the opponent was willing & ready. Many got beaten by a replacement never to be heard of again it’s how Pettis got to where is now… http://m.fightland.vice.com/blog/jose-aldo-a-history-of-pulling-out-of-title-fights. Conor should let him waste away after how he has gone on. Spoilt little runt
Think Holloway beat Aldo, and McGregor for that matter. Most improved fighter in the UFC, savage he is.
@Colin Foley: I disagree, I reckon Aldo would have his number. Holloway has looked great against the lower tier but Edgar, Mendes, Aldo and McGregor are at a different level to the fellas he’s beaten. Pettis is a decent enough win but the tough weight cut could’ve had a big impact on Pettis’ performance.
@DL: The lower tier??? Delusional!!! Holloway has basically cleared out that division bar Conor. Holloway would light Aldo up. His striking is on another level to Aldo
Mendes still the best on the ground for me and a match for anyone, would love to see a rematch between a properly prepped Mendes and McGregor
@Breandán Ó hEidhin: Yes, the lower tier. Edgar, Mendes, McGregor and Aldo are the elite of the division and he hasn’t beaten any of them. You’re the delusional one if you think Holloway’s striking is on another level to Aldo’s. Aldo has brilliant jiu jitsu and yet we never see it because of how good his striking is.
Simon basically they’re gunning for a huge Aldo v McGregor fight next year for both belts. Simples.
Such a farcical organisation. How did it make sense to give Also the belt without him having to fight somebody for it? Making it up as they go along