Mikey Moore, you have arrived! Spurs teenager dazzles in narrow AZ Alkmaar Europa League win as Richarlison nets winner but Timo Werner drops another disasterclass

The Spurs prospect was in remarkable form and played superbly as the north London club claimed a narrow 1-0 win over their Dutch opponents.

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Tottenham continued their perfect start to their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win over AZ Alkmaar that could have been chalked up as a routine victory, if not for the performance of Mikey Moore, with the 17-year-old truly emerging on the European stage.

Spurs and AZ traded blows in the first half-hour but it was the hosts who engineered the two best chances; first, in the opening two minutes, Moore sent a header just wide, and on 26 minutes, Lucas Bergvall sent a superb through ball to Timo Werner over the offside trap, but the winger simply passed the ball tamely into the goalkeeper's arms.

After the restart, Spurs quickly had the lead, as Richarlison scored from the spot after Bergvall was fouled in the box. There appeared to be a disagreement between the striker and James Maddison before the kick was taken, but the Brazilian won out to finish from 12 yards.

Alkmaar repeatedly tested Spurs' backline, and brought a couple of decent saves from Fraser Forster, with ex-Spurs striker Troy Parrott leading the line dangerously.

However, all of their attacking threat dissipated with five minutes to go when they were reduced to 10 men; Moller Wolfe was given his marching orders after he collected two yellow cards in quick succession.

In injury time, a slick move gave the returning Wilson Odobert a huge chance but he could only screw the ball just wide of the post. A VAR check for a penalty followed, but was swiftly cleared.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE MVP

Mikey Moore, welcome to the big time. The 17-year-old played 86 minutes, starting on the right wing in the first half, and moving to the left in the second. The speed and fearlessness of his play is truly remarkable, and he was constantly calling for the ball, and trying to make things happen. He missed a big first-half chance at the back post but this was an arrival, a message to a fanbase that he is the next young player off the production line, and his time is now.

THE BIG LOSER

Timo Werner just isn't the player he used to be. To watch him attempt to finish chances is a painful illustration of the importance of form and momentum. Werner has neither, and looks utterly bereft of ideas. He missed two presentable chances, and was hooked at half-time. His time as a starter may well be over, and few can blame Ange Postecoglou.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Spurs face Crystal Palace this weekend as they return to Premier League action. They then face a daunting tie against Manchester City in the EFL Cup in midweek.

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