Tottenham Hotspur sealed their place in the Europa League group stage with a 3-0 win over Dinamo Tbilisi this evening, running out 8-0 winners on aggregate.
Jermain Defoe capped off a dominant first half for the hosts with two goals in the space of five minutes before the break.
He first fired a powerful effort past the keeper from the edge of the box having been found by Lewis Holtby before latching on to a low Gylfi Sigurdsson cross to tap in from close range.
Holtby added a third in the second half, driving a fine strike in off the underside of the bar from 25 yards.
You can read how a comfortable and leisurely night for Tottenham unfolded with Sports Mole's live play-by-play coverage below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining us here at Sports Mole as Tottenham Hotspur look to complete their progress through to the group stages of the Europa League at the expense of Dinamo Tbilisi.
We'll start by looking at the hosts on what should be a fairly routine and comfortable night for them. An emphatic 5-0 in Georgia has put them in very good stead for tonight's match, and it should be a case of merely going through the motions and getting through the 90 minutes with as few problems as possible. Progress is already virtually guaranteed, but Andre Villas Boas will want to keep up his side's good start to the season, so to progress in style may be on his agenda.
I mentioned there that they have had a good start to the season, and that is most certainly the case. They have won all three of their competitive games without conceding a goal and are currently one of just two teams in the Premier League with a 100% record - the other being Liverpool.
In addition to their 5-0 win against Tbilisi last weekend, they also beat Swansea 1-0 in their last outing and opened the current campaign with another 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. Those two domestic scorelines may not look too impressive, but to start a season with two wins and none conceded is impressive by any club's standards and, in truth, it could have been more in both of those matches.
They have record signing Roberto Soldado to thank for those wins. The Spaniard has scored four goals in three games since joining in the summer, hitting the winners in both Premier League games and managing another two goals against Tbilisi last week. He is not expected to start today as Andre Villas-Boas may choose to rest his most important players, but there is also the chance that the Tottenham manager may want to keep this hot streak going, so him featuring is by no means out of the question.
The reasons for Villas-Boas potentially naming a weakened lineup today are twofold. Firstly, this tie is already won. Even in the ultra-careful world of managers where they try to take nothing for granted, Dinamo Tbilisi simply are not going to overturn a five-goal deficit at White Hart Lane tonight. Villas-Boas has a strong enough squad to rotate his starters and still field a side good enough to do the job tonight.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, Tottenham have the small matter of a North London derby against Arsenal to think about on Sunday. Those two sides are going to be battling it out for fourth place this season and, with Spurs spending big in the transfer window and Arsenal doing nothing, plenty of people are keen to see how that match transpires. A win for Tottenham would certainly send an early message out to the four or five times vying for a top four spot.
Spurs could well have a couple of new faces in their ranks before they face Arsenal too. Lamela and Eriksen are both nearing moves to White Hart Lane if various reports are to be believed, which would go some way to softening the blow of missing out on Willian. This time last week Willian looked destined for North London, but a cheeky late bid from Chelsea has seen him join the plethora of other attacking midfielders that Jose Mourinho has at his expense at Stamford Bridge.
Moving our attention to Dinamo Tbilisi, it is intriguing to see what approach they will take to this match. If there is any tiny glimmer of hope for them, their only option is to go all out attack from the first whistle.
However, that tactic is fraught with danger as it would make them susceptible to quick breaks, and there aren't many better counter-attacking sides around than Tottenham at the moment. If coach Duan Uhrin Jr. believes that his side have any chance of winning this then he must throw caution to the wind, but that would play right into the hands of Spurs. He is in a catch 22 situation.
The alternative option is for him to move into damage limitation mode. He could try to restore a little pride by giving Spurs a tough game away from home and making sure that, at the very least, they don't add to their 5-0 aggregate lead. This would lead to a less-exciting match but, unfortunately, I think that it is the most likely scenario.
They have not yet had a chance to get the 5-0 first leg defeat out of their system as this is their first game since that mauling. They were scheduled to play Spartaki Tskhinvali at the weekend, but that match was postponed.
That leaves them seventh in the table after two games, having won one and drawn one. They opened their season up with a late 2-1 win over Zestafoni and followed that up with a 1-1 draw against Dila. Those results are a little below the usual standards set by Tbilisi, who have been the dominant force of Georgian football over the years.
Last season they won a record 14th league title and a record 10th Georgian Cup, giving them their seventh double overall - unsurprisingly yet another record. They won the league in comfortable fashion, finishing top of the regular season before winning the championship group by 10 points with the best attack and the best defence in the league.
With all due respect to Georgian football, though, Tottenham are a class apart from any team they would have met domestically, and that showed last week. There was a time when Tbilisi could mix it with the big boys of European football - examples coming with wins against Liverpool in 1980 and Inter Milan in 1977 - but those days are long gone now.
Tbilisi qualified for the Champions League second qualifying stage by virtue of winning the league last season, and comfortably progressed to the next round with a 9-2 aggregate win over EB/Streymur. However, Steaua Bucharest proved too strong for them in the third qualifying round, which is how they have ended up against Tottenham.
TEAM NEWS: The team news is in and, as expected, Villas-Boas has made a number of changes. Sandro returns to the starting lineup for the first time since picking up a knee injury in January, while Lewis Holtby and Jermain Defoe also start. Brad Friedel is given a go in goal and Andros Townsend, who was so impressive in the first leg, has earned a spot in the starting lineup the week he was named in the England squad. Full team news coming up.
TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Friedel; Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Naughton; Carroll, Sandro; Townsend, Holtby, Sigurdsson; Defoe
TOTTENHAM SUBS: Lloris, Fryers, Capoue, Dembele, Paulinho, Kane, Soldado
DINAMO TBILISI STARTING XI: Loria; Kvirkvelia, Kvaratskhelia, Gvelesiani, Khurtsilava; Khmaladze, Dzaria, Grigalashvili; Vouho, Merebashvili, Goga
DINAMO TBILISI SUBS: Khotcholava, Seturidze, Dvali, Papava, Zarkua, Gilshic, Shashiashvili
No surprises on Tottenham's part, then. We weren't expecting the likes of Soldado, Paulinho, Lloris and Dembele to play due to the match against Arsenal on Sunday, but Villas-Boas has named those four on the bench just in case. The side he has fielded should be good enough to win the match on the night, though. Defoe is a natural finisher who will gleefully accept any chances that come his way, while Sigurdsson and Holtby are more than capable of creating such chances. Townsend will be looking to replicate his performance from the first leg and, if he does, it could be another long night for Tbilisi.
It is good to see Sandro back in action too. The midfielder was becoming an increasingly important part of the Tottenham set-up when he suffered his injury earlier this year, so Spurs will be delighted to see his starting again. Villas-Boas has named a strong defence, but he had little choice as his options in that position are pretty thin at the moment. He will be hoping more than anything that the likes of Vertonghen and Kaboul get through this match unscathed.
As for Tbilisi, their team selection suggests that they know this one is a lost cause. Jaba Dvali looked like their most likely player to score last week but he has been left on the bench, while Xisco - their main dangerman - is unable to even make the squad having picked up an injury in the first leg. Grigalasvili on the right wing looked threatening at times last week, so he could be one to keep an eye on.
One noticeable omission from the Spurs squad is, of course, Gareth Bale. His transfer saga continues to rumble on, and it has become impossible to second-guess it now. Last week I presumed that the end was a day or so away, but still he remains a Tottenham player.
Bale has made it abundantly clear that he doesn't want to remain at Spurs, and he hasn't exactly covered himself in glory with the way that he has handled the situation. Refusing to turn up to training is a highly unprofessional move and he can have no complaints if Spurs choose to fine him. We're told that keeping Bale is still an option for the club, but the relationship between the two must be a breaking point now. I've said this before this summer, but I do expect that saga to be wrapped up in the coming days.
Meanwhile, while Bale continues to angle for a way out of White Hart Lane, plenty of players are coming in. The likes of Capoue, Paulinho and particularly Soldado have made good impacts at the club already, and the likely additions of Lamela and Eriksen are also very shrewd ones by Daniel Levy. Even without Bale, I would put Spurs as favourites to get fourth spot now. With Bale, they could be considered as genuine title contenders.
Spurs do have history in Europe, and they will hope to entice more players in with the promise of a good future in Europe too. Last season they fell at the quarter-final stage of this competition, being beaten on penalties by Basel after a 4-4 aggregate draw. However, they have previously won the UEFA Cup in 1972 (becoming the inaugural winners in the process) and 1984, and were the first British side to win a European trophy when they picked up the Cup Winners' Cup in 1963.
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at White Hart Lane, which means that it is time for my prediction! Needless to say, I can't see any way that Tbilisi will end up qualifying for the Europa League proper tonight, and I think they may be thinking along the same lines. However, they could give a good account of themselves on the night and I don't reckon that they will be beaten as heavily as they were in the first leg. Spurs may take it easier to reduce any risk of injuries ahead of the North London derby, but they also have a few fringe players who will be desperate to prove a point. I'm going to go for 3-0 Spurs.
Tbilisi also have history in Europe, although they aren't quite as distinguished as Spurs. The Georgian side won the Cup Winners' Cup back in 1981.
These two sides have actually played each other in European competition before this tie. They met in the Europa League's predecessor, the UEFA Cup, in 1973, with Tbilisi holding Spurs to a 1-1 draw in Georgia. Tottenham made light work of them back at White Hart Lane, however, running out 5-1 winners.
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas is a man who takes this competition seriously. He knows first hand how it feels to be successful in the Europa League, having won the competition with Porto in 2011.
The players are coming out onto the field now ahead of what is essentially a formality of a match for Spurs. Still, they have plenty of players who will be keen to impress this afternoon so, despite the tie being as good as over, this one could still be an entertaining match.
KICKOFF: Here we go then, Tottenham get us underway in a floodlit White Hart Lane. European nights always have a special feel about them, wherever you are.
It was noticeable in the first leg just how long Loria took to clear the ball from the Tbilisi goal, and already he has almost been closed down by two Spurs attackers. He was fortunate that it didn't lead to any goals in the first leg, but he won't get away with it forever.
Most things that Andros Townsend touched turned to gold last week, but his first contribution tonight is not one for the scrapbook. He cuts inside onto his favoured left foot but blasts a shot well high and well wide. Poor effort, but positive play from the winger who looks full of confidence.
It has been a bright start from Spurs, and they come close to opening the visitors up here. Carroll zips a through ball towards Defoe, but it is just too far in front of the striker. It was the right idea, but the application was just awry.
The Tottenham midfield are looking to release Defoe at every available opportunity with the England international playing on the last shoulder of the defence. Two attempts have been mis-placed so far, but it is a clear ploy from the hosts to use Defoe's speed.
The build-up play is nice from Spurs so far, but their final ball is lacking. Townsend spins away from his man well before pulling the ball back to Holtby, whose first touch lets him down. He gives it to Sandro, who works it out towards the left wing but the ball is run out for a goal kick.
Nice link up play between Sigurdsson and Carroll releases the former down the left, but Khurtsilava shows impressive pace to still beat the Tottenham man to the ball before getting it clear.
Half chance for Tottenham as Kaboul makes a driving run out of defence before leaving it for Townsend to take over. The winger plays a good ball through to Defoe, who is forced a little wide before dragging his shot a couple of yards past the post. Best sight of goal so far, but it would have had to have been a very good finish.
Villas-Boas has been involved in a bit of an argument with the fourth official on the touchline, and not the usual kind. The fourth official was apparently blocking the Tottenham manager's view, prompting Villas-Boas to ask him to move, first politely and then more aggressively. Eventually a UEFA delegate had to come down and sort it out, and the fourth official has been relocated.
YELLOW CARD! Sandro picks up the first yellow of the match, and his complaints are falling on deaf ears. The Brazilian came right through Goga with a heavy sliding challenge and rightly enters the book despite arguing that it was his first offence.
Townsend's confidence does run the risk of making him a little more selfish than he should be. A good move from Spurs results in the new England man going for goal from 25 yards out, but he drags his shot wide. Kyle Walker throws his arms in the air in frustration having moved into a good position in the box.
YELLOW CARD! Merebashvili gets a booking from the ref, and again it is a deserved one. He lost out to Walker in midfield and as the full-back threatened to race clear slid in with a petulant and cynical foul.
Tottenham have dominated the opening 20 minutes or so and are in complete control of this match. However, they are yet to create a really good chance and seem a little short of space whenever they try to bring the ball into the middle.
Not much too report from the last few minutes as Tbilisi have started to come into the match a bit more. They still don't look like threatening the Tottenham goal, but they are making it more difficult for Spurs to build meaningful attacks.
The first corner of the match falls Tottenham's way, but it comes to nothing as Sigurdsson fails to beat the first man. He is moaning at a lack of runners, but that was simply a poor delivery.
Defoe bundles his way into the box past two challenges, and Khurtsilava clearly handles the ball during the second tackle. The whole stadium roars for handball and Defoe stops as he awaits the whistle which does go, but the ref points for a free kick the other way! He did not see that as Defoe's body was in the way, but to give a handball against Defoe is a strange decision.
The hosts are playing at a leisurely pace at the moment. They are in complete control and know that they don't have to take any unnecessary risks to try to get a goal. It isn't making for the most exciting match, but this is more like a training session for Spurs at the moment.
Holtby hounds a Tbilisi defender high up the pitch and wins the ball in a good area. He is desperate to get his shot away and snakes his way across the edge of the box looking for an opening. His eventual effort is blocked but Carroll controls it well before volleying it just wide. Not a bad effort from the youngster.
This is worrying for Tbilisi. Kvirkvelia has just gone down under no challenge at all and looks to have pulled something while clearing the ball. He may not be able to continue.
DINAMO TBILISI SUB: Sure enough, Kvirkvelia's evening is over. He is replaced by Darko Glisic, who we saw play on the left wing last week, so he will need to operate in a more defensive role this time around.
Glisic is a defender by trade, but he will still be up against it tonight against Andros Townsend. Most of Tottenham's attacks have come down the right flank so far, and I expect that to continue throughout.
As I say that, Townsend pops up on the opposite wing and is found by a clever through ball from Carroll. He takes a touch but is then on the end of a very good tackle from Khurtsilava, who puts the ball out for a corner that comes to nothing.
That is a close escape for Tottenham. Merebashvili makes a very good run up the left flank and goes along completely unnoticed by the Tottenham defence, who are hung up with playing offside against someone else. The linesman flag does go up, but that one was very close and, had it been allowed to continue, Sandro put in a tackle that could have seen him sent off.
GOAL! Spurs 1-0 Dinamo Tbilisi (Jermain Defoe)
Tottenham have the breakthrough! Shortly after Dinamo Tbilisi have their best moment of the match, Defoe smothers any momentum with a well-taken finish. Holtby was the creator, playing Defoe in with a clever reverse pass, and the striker took a touch before slamming a shot past Loria. The Tbilisi keeper should not have left his near post so open then, but Defoe hit it with such power that the keeper didn't stand a chance.
That is the first time that Spurs have really threatened the Tbilisi goal, but it had most certainly been coming. Tottenham are in complete control and you get the feeling that if they wanted to crank up the pace then they could get a few more here.
There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
GOAL! Spurs 2-0 Dinamo Tbilisi (Jermain Defoe)
Lovely football from Spurs there. Walker shows great footwork to play Sigurdsson in down the right of the area and his early low cross finds Defoe on his toes, and the striker has a simple tap in for his second of the match. He was a lot more alert than the defenders there, who looked to be caught out by how early Sigurdsson got the cross away.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Dinamo Tbilisi (Tottenham lead 7-0 on aggregate)
Well, this has been a stroll in the park for Tottenham so far. They have been in complete control and, although they haven't threatened too often, they looked capable to scoring whenever they choose to pick up the pace a bit. Two goals in five minutes from Jermain Defoe have made the difference so far on the night, but in the grander scheme of things Spurs now hold an imposing 7-0 aggregate lead, and that is indicative of the gulf in class between these two sides.
The goals were both typical ones for Defoe, who continues to impress as a goalscorer whenever he gets the chance. He may be reduced to a bit-part player this season with the arrival of Soldado, but what a player to be able to call upon. His first was a powerful strike from the edge of the box that flashed inside the near post while the second showcased his predatory instincts be finishing from close range just before the break.
Defoe has his midfield to thank for both goals. Holtby found him with a clever reverse pass for the first, although Defoe certainly had plenty to do. He couldn't have asked for an easier chance for his second, however,as he tapped in Sigurdsson early cross that took the defenders by surprise.
All in all, then, things have gone swimmingly for Spurs so far. They have not had any injury scares and look in no danger of losing the match, while the tie was comfortably wrapped up before kickoff. They will be in the draw for the Europa League group stage, and now Villas-Boas can afford to move one eye onto Arsenal, who they play on Sunday.
It will be interesting to see which, if any, changes he chooses to make in the second half. Most of the players on the bench would be expected to start against Arsenal on Sunday, so resting players won't be the highest priority for Villas-Boas. I'd expect to see a defender come off, while Sandro is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes having only just returned from a lengthy injury.
As for Tbilisi, it must just be a case of getting through this one now. Their manager will be eager to move on following this match and get on with their domestic season as they look to retain the league and cup. In the more immediate future, namely the next 45 minutes, it could be damage limitation for his side.
If you weren't with us earlier, allow me to remind you that Swansea safely booked their place in the next round despite losing 2-1 on the night.
KICKOFF: We're back underway at White Hart Lane. Just 45 minutes now separate Spurs from the group stages of the Europa League.
TOTTENHAM SUB: News of one change for Spurs at the break as Harry Kane comes on for Townsend. Townsend will be unhappy at coming off at half time, but he may also be secretly pleased as that change hints that Villas-Boas regards him as a player that needs resting before Sunday.
Jermain Defoe has moved into fifth in the all-time Tottenham goalscoring charts this evening. He should be fondly remembered at White Hart Lane when he does eventually leave as his name is alongside some legendary ones in that list, which is topped by the peerless Jimmy Greaves.
The ball falls back to Carroll on the edge of the box, but he doesn't really catch hold of his shot and it bounces up into the arms of the keeper.
Defoe makes a break down the left flank before pulling it back to Harry Kane on the edge of the box. The youngster goals for goal with a low shot, but his effort is blocked and goes behind for a corner.
CHANCE! Defoe comes close to grabbing his hat-trick with a clever effort. He pirouetted over the ball on the edge of the box to ensure that he was in a shooting position, but his effort was just tipped into the side netting.
CLOSE! The side netting is rippled for the second time in as many minutes! Once again Defoe is involved, but this time he creates the chance with a pass back to Sigurdsson, whose whipped cross was not too far away from going in at the near post.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Kyle Walker is the next to be protected ahead of Sunday's North London derby. He makes way for Zeki Fryers.
CLOSE! Defoe is really in the mood now, he wants his hat-trick! He makes a good run down the left before dropping his shoulder to cut inside and curl an effort just past the far post. Spurs are having plenty of sights of goal now.
Holtby is the latest to go for goal and, although this one sails over the bar, Spurs were not allowed such efforts in the first half. Holtby picked up the ball around 25 yards from goal, but his curling effort was too high with other options available.
OFF THE BAR! Spurs are inches away from making it 3-0! Sigurdsson picks up the ball on the edge of the area and smashes a brilliant effort towards the top corner. It is swerving all over the place and dips at the last second to smack the underside of the crossbar. Fine effort, and he is unlucky that it didn't hit the back of the net.
Here is a shot of Defoe being congratulated by Lewis Holtby after the duo combined to give their side the lead tonight:
© Getty Images
It is shooting practice for Tottenham at the moment, although by the looks of that shot Kane could do with a little more practice! Holtby does not give up on the ball in and around the edge of the area and eventually wins it back before feeding it to Kane, who curls a weak effort straight at the keeper.
That is probably Tbilisi's best chance of the match. A free kick is clipped into the area and Vouho just got the faintest of touches onto it to flick it narrowly wide. Not exactly a gilt-edge chance, but better than they have created at any other stage of this match.
GOAL! Spurs 3-0 Dinamo Tbilisi (Lewis Holtby)
What a way to open your Tottenham account! More nice build-up play on the edge of the box sees Carroll roll the ball back for Holtby, who lets it run across his body before lashing it in off the underside of the bar. Superb strike, and the keeper didn't stand a chance. Spurs lead 8-0 on aggregate.
I must say that I didn't expect Tottenham to be any more attacking in this second half than they were in the first, but they have been. It may be a case of Tbilisi allowing them more space in midfield, but Spurs are queuing up to shoot at the moment. I would be surprised if we have seen the last of the goals tonight.
Younes Kaboul has suddenly turned into Aaron Lennon! The big centre-back just steamrollered through a number of tackles to make his way down the right before pulling the ball back for Carroll, whose shot is blocked. Wing wizardry from Kaboul, who needs Bale?!
Holtby is being urged to "shoooooot!" every time he gets the ball within 35 yards of the Tbilisi goal now. The fans want to see more goals, and I have a feeling that they might.
Defoe has been a little quieter in the last 10 minutes or so, but he sparks into life inside the box again. Carroll bundled his way through a number of challenges before Defoe took over, nutmegging a defender before dragging his shot a few yards wide. He is desperate for that hat-trick!
TOTTENHAM SUB: The Spurs fans that have been calling for another Holtby piledriver will be disappointed as his participation in this one is over. He becomes the third and final change for Spurs, with Moussa Dembele coming on in his place.
TBILISI SUB: Merebashvili makes way with just over 10 minutes left, and on comes David Khocholava - an attacking change at 8-0 down! The greatest comeback since Istanbul? I don't think so.
Vouha just gets a sniff of the ball as Fryers slightly under-hits a back pass, but Friedel belies his age with decent pace off the mark to clear.
Tottenham seem content with 3-0 now. The whole match has been fairly leisurely, but they are playing at walking pace now. The only player who may not be happy about that is Defoe - he wants a third.
Just over five minutes left for Tottenham to keep their heads and not do anything stupid. As things stand, it has been an ideal match for them as they have cruised to victory with a weakened team and without picking up any injuries.
TBILISI SUB: Grigalashvili impressed me last week, but he has been anonymous today. He is replaced by Giorgi Seturidze.
SAVE! Sigurdsson wins the ball in midfield before squaring it to Kane, who lashes a powerful effort goalwards from range. It is a good strike which draws a diving, one-handed save from Loria. It was one for the cameras really, but he still had to make the stop.
Sandro will be happy to have come through 90 minutes unscathed today. This is his first start since January and he couldn't have wished for a more suitable game to make his return in. It has been played at a leisurely pace throughout.
YELLOW CARD! Defoe tumbles over a sliding challenge from Khurtsilava in the box, and the ref blows his whistle, but again gives the free kick against Defoe when he wanted a penalty. The defender didn't get the ball and I have certainly seen penalties given for similar tackles, so the yellow card that Defoe gets for diving is a harsh one.
There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this match.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Dinamo Tbilisi (Tottenham win 8-0 on aggregate)
TOTTENHAM ARE THROUGH TO THE EUROPA LEAGUE GROUP STAGE!
Well, it's tough to see how that could have gone any better for Spurs. They put the icing on top of the cake that they made last week with a very comfortable 3-0 on the night, making it 8-0 on aggregate. Jermain Defoe bagged a brace before the break while Lewis Holtby scored a third in the second half to see Spurs maintain their 100% start to the season. And, what's more, they still haven't conceded a goal.
Right, that's it from me tonight! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for what was an easy night for Tottenham, who will be in tomorrow's Europa League group stage draw after beating Dinamo Tbilisi 8-0 on aggregate and 3-0 on the night. I will leave you with Daniel Cross's match report, and be sure to stick around for plenty of reaction to tonight's matches. From me, though, it is goodnight!
