Tottenham produced a mature Europa League semi-final first leg performance against Bodo/Glimt, in the process taking a giant step towards the final.
In the knowledge that next week's decider will be played on the artificial pitch in the Arctic Circle, Spurs knew the importance of a big win in north London on Thursday night.
Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke took that message on board to ensure Tottenham were on course to have a three-goal margin to defend in Norway. However, Ulrik Saltnes’ deflected goal has changed the entire outlook.
Having said that, the night did not begin well for Spurs. Lucas Bergvall missed out on the matchday squad altogether after sustaining an ankle injury in training and it remains to be seen if he will be fit for the second leg.
In his place was Yves Bissouma. The midfielder was one of two rather surprising inclusions in the Tottenham made by Ange Postecoglou. Though, his other gamble paid off within seconds of the tie getting underway.
Richarlison - in for the injured captain Heung-min Son - and picked ahead of Mathys Tel guided a header back across goal for Brennan Johnson to break the deadlock inside the opening minute.
Maddison doubled the lead shortly before half-time with a really good finish after timing his run from deep to perfection to latch onto a sublime pass over the top from Pedro Porro.
Goal number three arrived just after the hour mark as Solanke kept his cool to calmly slot his penalty into the back of the net.
Saltnes pulled a goal back late on - after Maddison and Solanke were replaced with injury scares - and judging by the Bodo/Glimt players’ celebrations, they feel it could be very important.
