Tottenham 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt: Player Ratings and Match Highlights
Tottenham’s pursuit of silverware was kept alive as they drew at home 1-1 with Eintracht Franfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.
Although the Premier League side were dealt a real blow in only the sixth minute. Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike furthered his growing reputation by scoring his twentieth goal of the season from outside the penalty area. The young Frenchman cut in from the left to guide a left-footed strike into the bottom corner.
Pedro Porro got Spurs back on level terms, after Maddison found some space to find the full-back. The finish was exquisite, with Porro effectively Cruyff turning the ball into the net. Spurs continued where they left off after half-time. Lucas Bergvall could have counted himself unlucky not to have scored after a great strike hit the upright.
Inside the last 10 minutes, Brennan Johnson was unable to hit the target when many may have felt he should have scored. Then, at the death, Micky van de Ven looked certain tor score, but his header was clawed away. Spurs had to settle for a draw, with Frankfurt no doubt feeling they achieved their objective.
Spurs Player Ratings
Formation: 4-3-3
Pedro PorroGK: Guglielmo Vicario – 6/10
Could do very little to prevent Frankfurt taking the lead early on.
RB: Pedro Porro – 7.5/10 – man of match
Showed his composure in front of goal with a beautifully taken finish to level the game for Spurs.
CB: Cristian Romero – 6.5/10
Provided Spurs with a reassuring presence in the middle of their defence.
CB: Micky van de Ven – 6/10
Perhaps not back to his explosive best after injury, but Spurs fans will be glad to see him back in the starting eleven.
LB: Destiny Udogie – 6.5/10
Looked to get on the ball at every opportunity as Spurs looked to turn the screw.
RM: Lucas Bergvall – 7/10 – man of match
Looked to be positive when in possession and was unfortunate not to put Spurs 2-1 up after a great strike hit the upright. He was man of match with Pedro Porro.
CM: Rodrigo Bentancur – 6/10
Was relied upon in the middle of the park to dictate play and did so reasonably well.
LM: James Maddison – 6.5/10
Got on the ball and showed great skill to lay on the equaliser for Porro.
RW: Brennan Johnson – 6/10
Looked to use his pace to cause the German side problems, but missed a presentable chance late on.
CF: Dominic Solanke – 6/10
Made himself available as an option for his colleagues, even if he didn’t look like a real threat to Frankfurt’s goal.
LW: Son Heung-Min – 5/10
Still not quite back to his best as another game went by without a goal for the South Korean.
SUB: Pape Sarr – 5/10
Brought on with 11 to go for Maddison as Spurs went looking for a winner.
SUB: Djed Spence – 6/10
Showed plenty of enterprise after coming on late.
SUB: Mathys Tel – 6/10
Replaced Son with 10 minutes left.
SUB: Richarlison – 5/10
Brought on too late to make a significant impact.
CB: Robin Koch – 6/10
Had to remain vigilant to ensure Frankfurt maintained a foothold in the tie.
CB: Tuta – 6.5/10
Worked and communicated well with his centre-half partner Koch to keep Frankfurt in the game.
LB: Arthur Theate – 6/10
Was forced to tuck in and support his centre-backs as Spurs controlled the ball.
DM: Ellyes Skhiri – 6.5/10
Like Larsson, Ekhiri shouldered the responsibility of trying to break up Spurs’ play
DM: Hugo Larsson – 6.5/10
Had to get through a fair bit of work as Spurs increased their possession percentage.
LW: Nathaniel Brown – 6/10
Playing in an advanced role for the Bundesliga outfit, but was required to defend perhaps more than he would have liked.
AM: Mario Gotze – 5.5/10
Germany’s 2014 World Cup Final-winning goalscorer had little influence on the game.
RW: Jean-Matteo Bahayo – 6/10
The youngster went into the book in the second period for a late tackle on Son.
CF: Hugo Ekitike – 7/10
The young Frenchman showed why he is valued at around £50m with a clinical finish to put the Germans in the lead. Looked dangerous.
SUB – Fares Chaibi – 6/10
The Algerian international was brought on with 20 minutes to go for Bahayo.
SUB – Can Uzan – 5/10
Came on in injury time.
SUB – Niels Nkounkou – 5/10
Came on in injury time.
SUB – Elye Wahi- 5/10
Came on in injury time.
