Richarlison penalty ensures Spurs maintain winning start to Europa League campaign: Five things we learned from Tottenham 1-0 AZ Alkmaar | OneFootball

It took a Richarlison spot-kick for Spurs to beat Dutch side AZ Alkmaar as Ange Postecoglou’s side made it three wins from three in the Europa League this season.

The Brazilian calmly converted in the second half after Lucas Bergvall had been brought down by Maxim Dekker in the box.

Here’s five talking points from the game…

Wasteful Werner hooked at half-time

Timo Werner’s struggles in front of goal continued against AZ Alkmaar. The on-loan forward was given an opportunity from the start in the Europa League clash but despite posing a threat with his pace in behind, his end product was once again not up to scratch. He spurned a good opportunity when being played in down the left by Bergvall, shooting straight at goalkeeper Rome Owusu-Oduru when he had time to pick his spot. He failed to work the goalkeeper again shortly before the break from a similarly good position, leaning back and skying an effort wide after unselfishly being played in by Richarlison. And after giving the ball away poorly shortly afterwards which gifted Spurs’ opponents a dangerous counter-attack, he was replaced at the break by Brennan Johnson.

Ernest Poku is one to watch

Alkmaar’s lively winger was his side’s best player on the night and caused Spurs plenty of problems with his pace and trickery. Playing out on the left, he got beyond Archie Gray, playing at right-back, on a number of occasions and looks a real prospect at just 20-years-old. He caught the eye with a couple of brilliant sprints in the first half to relieve the pressure on his side and it would not be a surprise if bigger clubs come calling for the Netherlands youngster in the future.

Tactical switch brings the best out of Moore

Werner’s substitution at half-time in place of Johnson saw 17-year-old Mikey Moore switch over to the left flank in the second half having played on the right in the first, and he, and Spurs, immediately looked a more dangerous side as a result of it. He got the Spurs fans on their feet at the start of the first half with some great pieces of trickery and created some dangerous openings cutting onto his favoured right foot. These early stages of the Europa League look like they could provide valuable game time for Moore to develop his game and he was impressive again tonight, receiving a standing ovation from the home supporters when he was taken off for the returning Wilson Odobert.

Tottenham did not make it easy for themselves

Spurs are far superior to AZ Alkmaar on paper and despite having home advantage, were given a tough test by the Dutch side. Moore and Werner both spurned good opportunities to make it a more comfortable night for Ange Postecoglou’s side in the first half but the visitors also went close when Denso Kasius’ cross narrowly evaded three waiting team-mates in the box. After Richarlison had given Spurs the lead from the penalty spot, Postecoglou’s team were guilty of giving away the ball cheaply in their own half and Mayckel Lahdo really should have equalised when one v one with Fraser Forster, who produced a good low stop to keep out his strike. A late red card for David Moller Wolfe made things easier for Tottenham but this probably should have been a more straightforward evening.

Bergvall impresses in deeper role

Midfielder Bergvall has not been given that many chances to show what he can do since his summer move from Swedish side Djurgarden but showed glimpses of the potential which prompted Tottenham to pay £8.5m for the 18-year-old. With James Maddison as the most attacking of the midfield three, Bergvall dropped slightly deeper with Rodrigo Bentancur and competed well physically, winning duels while also showing his quality on the ball, picking out Werner with a lovely ball over the top in the first half which he should have done better with, and also won the crucial penalty for his side. Like Moore, Bergvall will benefit from the game time the Europa League is providing him.