Tottenham Hotspur have marked their return to the Champions League with a disappointing 2-1 defeat against AS Monaco.
Goals from Bernando Silva and Thomas Lemar gave Monaco the lead against the run of play but despite Toby Alderweireld getting one back before the break, Mauricio Pochettino's men could not force an equaliser as they suffered an opening-game setback at Wembley Stadium.
The first opportunity of the game fell to Spurs who put together a rapid break down the right through Harry Kane, but despite the forward's cross finding Son Heung-min in time and space, he could only hit his shot into the path of Andrea Raggi who managed to make the block.
Spurs were on top but against the run of play, Monaco went ahead through Silva who lashed the ball into the bottom corner from 16 yards after benefiting from a mistake from Erik Lamela.
The Argentine attempted to atone for his error with a curling strike from the edge of the box but it was comfortably saved by Danijel Subasic.
Chances were few and far between in the minutes leading up to the half-hour mark but Monaco soon doubled their advantage through substitute Lemar, who fired the ball into the roof of the net from close range after Spurs had failed to clear a cross.
Moments later, Kamil Glik came within inches of adding a third when his header went marginally wide of the far post but just before the break, Spurs managed to halve the deficit when Alderweireld sent a bullet header into the top corner after he met Lamela's corner.
Spurs introduced Mousa Dembele at half time and that alteration allowed Dele Alli to move further forward, where he almost found an equaliser with a dipping volley which was well tipped over by Subasic.
The North London outfit continued to throw men forward as they pushed Monaco back towards their own penalty area but they were unable to create the clear-cut chance that was required for them to get back on level terms.
As the match entered the closing stages, Kane finally had the opening that he had been waiting for all evening but after receiving a pass from Vincent Janssen, he fired his shot straight into the hands of Subasic from 12 yards out.
Spurs became more desperate as time started to run out and they were unable to force another save out of Subasic as they slumped to defeat against the in-form Ligue 1 side.
Darren Plant
