Tottenham scored twice in the final 10 minutes to avoid a humiliating Europa League exit to Lokomotiv Plovdiv as Jose Mourinho’s men came f...
Tottenham scored twice in the final 10 minutes to avoid a humiliating Europa League exit to Lokomotiv Plovdiv as Jose Mourinho’s men came from behind to beat the nine-man Bulgarians 2-1 on Thursday.
Harry Kane’s penalty and Tanguy Ndombele’s winner five minutes from time ensured the 2019 Champions League finalists did not fall at the first hurdle of their Europa League campaign to a side that have never progressed beyond the qualifying stages of European competition.
“I think it was a helluva experience for the players. Sometimes in football miracles happen and when you play a knockout, one-leg it is the perfect scenario for a miracle to happen,” said Mourinho.
“Everyone on their side had the moment where they dream and we had the moment where we believed a nightmare could arrive.”
Mourinho named a strong side featuring Kane, Hugo Lloris and Son Heung-min with just four changes from Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Everton to start their Premier League campaign.
But there was more evidence why Spurs are desperate to secure Gareth Bale’s return on loan from Real Madrid as they struggled to break Plovdiv down and went behind to Georgi Minchev’s header 19 minutes from time.
The tie swung back in Spurs favour nine minutes later when Momchil Tsvetanov punched clear...
