Tottenham boost automatic qualification hopes with third straight Champions League home win | OneFootball

Tottenham eased past Slavia Prague to win their third successive home match in the Champions League this season.

An own goal from David Zima put Spurs ahead before second-half penalties from Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons earned them all three points with a 3-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Pape Matar Sarr all had big chances to make it more for Spurs if not for some impressive goalkeeping from Slavia Prague’s Jindrich Stanek.

Thomas Frank only made two changes to the side that beat Brentford at the weekend, but just 30 seconds in, one of those players brought in nearly played a huge hand in putting Spurs ahead. One straight through ball down the left had Odobert, who replaced Randal Kolo Muani, in behind the defence before he fired a low ball across to Richarlison free in the six-yard box. Yet, with the goal gaping, the Brazilian’s shot was straight at the keeper.

Tottenham continued their ascendancy throughout the opening stages and they had a second huge chance to go ahead 21 minutes in.

Kudus fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal towards Odobert at the back post, but some brilliant defending from Tomas Holes to clear the ball behind kept the scoreline level.

But eventually Frank’s side took a well-deserved lead, though not through one of their own. Pedro Porro’s corner was headed on by Cristian Romero towards the back post, where Zima was defending with two Spurs players behind him ready to put the ball home. The Prague defender had to get something on it, however, unfortunately for him, he nodded the ball into his own net.

Despite Spurs’ superiority, Slavia Prague did have chances. Guglielmo Vicario was forced into two saves from range, but the biggest opportunity of the first half fell to Michal Sadílek five minutes before the break. He was found free in the box 12 yards from goal; however, the Czech international snatched at his effort making it easy or Vicario to hold on to.

Tottenham would double their lead just five minutes into the second half through a Kudus penalty. Archie Gray played a wonderful pass to find Porro in behind who was wiped out by Youssoupha Sanyang inside the area. Kudus stepped up and rifled the ball home.

Stanek made several fine saves to stop Frank’s men from going even further ahead before the hour. Odobert, Sarr and Tel all forced the keeper into action from close range. The save from Sarr was the most impressive as he had already beaten away Tel’s effort before getting back up to save from the Senegal international, who was just eight yards out.

After storming into a 2-0 lead at the beginning of the second-half, Spurs were able to bring off some of their star men including Kudus and Porro, but that did not stop them from scoring more. With just over ten minutes to go, Xavi Simons was brought down in the area and converted his penalty to put the game out of sight.

Spurs now turn their attention to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League where Frank will hope the rest he was able to give some of his players tonight will make the difference against Sean Dyche’s side.

“I was very happy that we built on the momentum from the Brentford game,” Frank said. “Both home, but in general just in terms of performance I think there was more offensive, positive notes to take from the game as well.

“Positive individual performances but also the team just gelling a little bit more and more together in a tricky game against an opponent that is not easy to play against. Slavia Prague, big respect for them. The man to man physical pressure, but we got the job done and got three points so that was good.”