Pedro Porro rescues Ange Postecoglou as Spurs held by Frankfurt in Europa League clash
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Tottenham Hotspur's Pedro Porro celebrates scoring their first goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Ange Postecoglou’s bid to end Tottenham Hotspur’s long trophy drought is delicately poised after a 1-1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-final, first leg on April 10.
Postecoglou’s troubled side trailed to Hugo Ekitike’s early goal in north London, but Pedro Porro hauled them level before half-time. Tottenham laid siege to the Frankfurt goal in the second half, but couldn’t find a winner after hitting the woodwork twice.
The result means under-fire Tottenham boss Postecoglou must mastermind a memorable victory in the second leg in Germany on April 17 to keep alive his hopes of winning the club’s first trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
“It was disappointing to concede the way we did. The biggest blow we had was conceding so early. That kind of played into their hands,” Postecoglou said.
“But, even before that, I thought we were well in control of the game. I thought it would bring fruit in the second half, and it did in every aspect but goals. I can’t ask any more of the lads.”
The winners of the tie will face Bodo/Glimt or Lazio in the semi-finals in May, with the Norwegian club taking a 2-0 lead into the second leg against the Italian side.
“On any other night, we go away with a comfortable victory. We have to go there. If we repeat that performance, we give ourselves a chance. I don’t expect the second game to be open, it’ll be cagey affair and it’ll come down to moments,” Postecoglou said.
The 59-year-old Australian brashly claimed earlier this season that he always wins a trophy in his second campaign, a statement that has made him a hostage to fortune throughout Tottenham’s turbulent run.
He has endured such intense criticism lately that he joked on April 9 that he would still be “gone” at the end of the season even if he did win the Europa League because his approval rating is so low with the club supporters.
Frankfurt started the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with more confidence and purpose.
Ekitike had scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 40 appearances before the clash, making him Frankfurt’s dangerman and a transfer target for several English clubs. But Tottenham failed to heed the warning, as the 22-year-old struck in stunning style after just six minutes.
James Maddison conceded possession and Frankfurt launched a blistering break that climaxed with Ekitike accelerating past Porro to curl a fine finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
If Ekitike’s opener was an eye-catching moment, Porro’s 26th-minute leveller was even more artistic. Maddison danced through the Frankfurt defence and cut his pass back to Porro, who produced a sublime back-heeled flick that flashed past goalkeeper Kaua Santos from six metres.
Over in the Conference League, Chelsea beat Legia Warsaw 3-0 in their quarter-final, first-leg clash in the Polish capital on April 10. Goals from Tyrique George and Noni Madueke (brace) in the second half gave Enzo Maresca’s side a comfortable lead to defend in next week’s return fixture at Stamford Bridge. AFP
