Tottenham player ratings vs Hoffenheim: Justice for Brandon Austin as Heung-min Son decisive | OneFootball

Spurs take huge step towards Europa League progress after nervy win

Tottenham took a significant step towards the Europa League knockouts with a tense 3-2 win over Hoffenheim, settled by Heung-min Son's double.

Ange Postecoglou was missing no fewer than 14 players in Germany but Spurs still had plenty of quality in the XI and James Maddison finished superbly to put them ahead after just three minutes.

Son's deflected strike made it 2-0 as Spurs threatened to run riot in the first half but they faced intense pressure either side of the interval, with Antonin Stach deservedly pulling a goal back just after the hour.

Son fired a trademark finish into the corner to restore Spurs' two-goal lead but David Mokwa headed home late on to set up a nervy finale.

Here's how we rated the Spurs players...

Brandon Austin 7

Assured on his European debut, making a smart one-handed save to deny Tom Bischof and maintain Spurs' two-goal lead in the first half. Justice was done when the referee overturned a dreadful penalty call against the goalkeeper.

Pedro Porro 7

Made the opening goal with a superb raking pass for Maddison but could not get back to prevent Hoffenheim's first goal and left isolated against Mokwa for their late consolation.

Radu Dragusin 5

Made a crucial block towards the end of the first half but part of a shaky back line, which was lucky to only concede twice.

Ben Davies 5

Stach stole behind him for the first goal and he was stretched by Hoffenheim either side of the interval.

Archie Gray 6

Deputised well in another position, defending alterly and getting forward when possible.

Rodrigo Bentancur 7

Made a number of smart interventions to break up play and was important at defending set pieces. Looked rusty at times, including mis-controlling a cross towards the end of the first half, which led to a Hoffenheim chance.

Lucas Bergvall 6

Should have made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time but miscued his header. Energetic and linked up well with compatriot Dejan Kulusevski.

James Maddison 8

Scored the opener with a fine touch and finish before making Son's goal with a determined and composed piece of play.

Dejan Kulusevski 6

An important outlet on the break and a threat in possession but looks exhausted.

Heung-min Son 8

Settled the game with an excellent finish after his first goal took a helpful deflection. Looked like a player trying to conserve energy but was still decisive.

James Maddison and Heung-min Son both scored for Spurs

PA Wire via DPA

Richarlison 7

Full of willing running on his first start since August. Tested the goalkeeper in the first half but faded before being replaced.

Subs

Mikey Moore (Richarlison 56') 7

Lively from the left wing.

Will Lankshear (Son 78') 6

Worked hard for the final 15 minutes as Spurs saw out a big win.

Callum Olusesi (Maddison 89') 6

Composed on his full debut.

Not used: Forster, Whiteman, Hardy, Cassanova, Ajayi