Tottenham are into the knockout stages of the Europa League after a late Harry Kane header secured a 1-0 victory at Qarabag.
Harry Kane's late header ensured
Tottenham a place in the knockout stages of the Europa League with a
group game remaining as the England forward earned his a side a valuable
1-0 win over Qarabag.
Following a 4,000-mile
trip, Mauricio Pochettino named a strong side for the penultimate Group J
fixture on Thursday, despite Sunday's impending Premier League clash
with Chelsea, and was rewarded when Kane netted the winner and ensured
Spurs a top-two berth.
With the likes of Dele Alli
and Son Heung-min hitting the woodwork against a stubborn Qarabag side,
Pochettino's men looked set to endure a frustrating night in Baku.
The
hosts - whose qualification hopes now look very slim - were largely
content to frustrate their Premier League opponents but were beaten
courtesy of in-form Kane's goalscoring instinct.
The
striker nodded in Son's flick-on from a corner 12 minutes from time to
send Spurs into the knockout stage and into the weekend's London derby
off the back of a win.
Qarabag need to beat
second-placed Anderlecht for a second time in Group J to stand a chance
of progressing to the last 32 alongside Spurs, who need a point in their
final game at home to Monaco to secure top spot.
The
hosts began brightly - keeping the ball well albeit without threatening
too often - while Ryan Mason tested Ibrahim Sehic inside the opening
five minutes.
Mason, whose introduction at the
base of Spurs' midfield allowed Alli a more advanced role, shot over
soon after as Spurs found their feet.
Alli spurned
a great chance to open the scoring when he turned Kieran Trippier's
cross over the crossbar from inside the area while Qarabag saw Maksim
Medvedev fire over before Afran Ismayilov forced Hugo Lloris into a
first save shortly before the half-hour mark.
Qarabag
offered a reminder of their threat on the stroke of half-time - the
home side breaking at pace only for Dani Quintana's scuffed effort to be
palmed away by Lloris.
Spurs were on the front
foot early in the second period but found Qarabag's back line difficult
to break down as the hosts offered another reminder of their threat
when Richard Almeida shot wide from distance.
Alli
failed to connect with an effort from inside the area while
Christian Eriksen flashed a shot across goal prior to Son's effort being
tipped onto the bar just after the hour mark by an impressive Sehic
save.
The Qarabag goalkeeper was called on again
to tip Eric Dier's effort round the post as Spurs continued to produce
the better chances.
And, after Alli turned Toby
Alderweireld's delivery onto the post, Pochettino's men were rewarded
for their endeavour through Kane's winner.
The
England international took his tally to nine goals in his last six club
games when he got the final touch from close range after Son connected
with Eriksen's corner, extending Spurs' European campaign into the new
year as a result.
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