Tottenham Hotspur cruised to a comfortable 5-0 win in the first leg of their Europa League playoff against Dinamo Tbilisi this afternoon.
Spurs opened the scoring through Andros Townsend in the 12th minute when the winger carried the ball from inside his own half to the edge of the opposition penalty box before drilling it into the bottom corner.
Townsend turned provider for Tottenham's second, beating his man before delivering an inviting ball for Paulinho to head in, opening his Spurs account in the process.
Townsend got his second assist of the match just before the hour mark when he pulled the ball back for Roberto Soldado to sweep home, while Danny Rose got the pick of the goals shortly afterwards when he curled an effort into the top corner.
Soldado capped off the scoring with his second of the game just three minutes later, finishing from close range having been found by Nacer Chadli's cross.
You can read how a dominant 90 minutes for Tottenham unfolded with Sports Mole's live play-by-play coverage below.
Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match between Dinamo Tbilisi and Tottenham Hotspur in the Boris Paichadzis Erovnuli Stadioni. It is a very big match for both sides as their participation in Europe this season could hang on the result this afternoon.
We'll start by looking at our hosts today. Tbilisi have already experienced a fair amount of European football this season having been entered into the Champions League in the second qualifying stage. They cruised through their first test, beating EB/Streymur 9-2 on aggregate, but came unstuck against Steaua Bucharest, who ran out 3-1 winners in the tie.
Tbilisi will be looking to put that disappointment behind them this afternoon, and a good performance against a side of Tottenham's quality would most certainly do that. They are the dominant force in Georgian football, having won the title last season by 10 points, recording the best attack (88 goals scored) and the best defence (23 goals conceded) in the league.
The Umaglesi league is similar to the Scottish Premiership in that it splits in two during the season, with half of the division taking part in the Championship round and the other half in the relegation round. Tbilisi topped the table when it split after 22 games and remained unbeaten in the following 10 matches, dropping just two points to cruise to the title.
Tbilisi only lost twice all season on their way to picking up a record 14th league title, and they also dominated the cup, winning it for the 10th time - another record. Spurs are well-renowned for picking up the first 'double' of the 20th century in English football under the legendary Bill Nicholson, but Tbilisi are no strangers to the double themselves. Last season was the 10th time that they have won both trophies in a single season, and they won the double an incredible six times in a row between 1992-97.
As for the current season, Tbilisi have only just kicked their domestic league off. They currently sit fifth after two matches having scored a 95th minute winner to beat Zestafoni 2-1 in their opener before a 1-1 draw against Dila on Saturday.
This season represents a welcome return for European football to Tbilisi. They did not qualify for any competition last season and will be desperate to ensure that their participation on the continental stage lasts as long as possible. The Georgian side do have a legacy in Europe, having won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup back in 1981.
Their opponents today also have European pedigree, however. They were the first British team to win a European trophy when they brought the Cup Winners' Cup back to White Hart Lane in 1963, while they also won the Europa League's predecessor - the UEFA Cup - twice in 1972 and 1984. In winning it in 1972, they became the competition's inaugural champions.
They come into this match probably wishing that they weren't here. For a time last season they looked destined to claim a top four place, but a collapse late in the campaign, coupled with some phenomenal form from Arsenal, resulted in Spurs being pipped to the post by their North London rivals.
Still, that is not to say that they won't take this competition seriously. The Premier League will undoubtedly take priority, but a European trophy of any kind would be a massive achievement for Spurs, who have not exactly enjoyed a trophy-laden spell of late. They reached the quarter-finals of this competition last season and looked capable of going all the way until they ran into Basel, who ousted them on penalties after a 4-4 aggregate draw.
In manager Andre Villas Boas, they already have a man who has been there and done it. He won the competition in 2011 while in charge of Porto, and his personal history with the Europa League means that he will understand the positive effects that winning it can bring.
They come into this match having opened their Premier League campaign with a win at the weekend. It was by no means an all-conquering performance from Spurs, but they were by far the better team against newly-promoted Crystal Palace and deserved to win by more than their 1-0 margin.
In a season where Spurs will be aiming to finally break into that top four again, such wins - even by the narrowest of margins - will be vital. Others teams looked flashier and more fluid on the opening weekend, but the main thing is three points and Spurs delivered that.
Just before I bring you the team news from Georgia, a reminder of the injury troubles that Spurs currently face. They are missing Gareth Bale, Jan Vertonghen, Aaron Lennon, Sandro, Lewis Holtby, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Emmanuel Adebayor for tonight's match. It may not be enough to be deemed a 'crisis' just yet, but if the injuries keep racking up then Spurs could find themselves in trouble at a very early stage of the season.
TEAM NEWS: Right, as promised, time for some team news. The headline from the Spurs camp is the inclusion of Etienne Capoue, who will make his full debut for the club this afternoon. Elsewhere, Kyle Walker and Nacer Chadli have been relegated to the bench while Roberto Soldado continues up front. Full team news for both sides coming up.
DINAMO TBILISI STARTING XI: Loria; Khurtsilava, Gvelesiani, Kvaratskhelia, Gilshic; Grigalashvili, Dzaria, Kvirkvelia; Xisco, Merebashvili, Dvali
DINAMO TBILISI SUBS: Goga, Khotcholava, Vouho, Papava, Seturidze, Zarkua
SPURS STARTING XI: Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Kaboul, Rose; Capoue, Paulinho; Townsend, Dembele, Sigurdsson; Soldado
SPURS SUBS: Friedel, Fryers, Walker, Carroll, Chadli, Coulthirst, Kane
For those wondering who is the man to watch for the hosts this afternoon, keep an eye on Spanish forward Xisco. He has finished as the club's top scorer in the last two seasons and his tally of 24 goals during the previous campaign was enough to hand him the top scorer in the entire Georgian league. The 32-year-old has enjoyed spells with Real Betis and Levante, but his best days came at Valencia when he helped Rafael Benitez's team to win La Liga and the UEFA Cup in 2004.
Spurs' dangermen, meanwhile, are well documented. Roberto Soldado has already made a good impression at the club having scored the winner at the weekend with an excellent penalty, and he will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet again this afternoon. Behind him, Spurs have a wealth of creative talent in midfield, although it will be interesting to see how they cope without the usual width that the likes of Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale provide.
Gareth Bale - I guess he had to come up at some point! The Welsh winger has been the subject of intense speculation all summer and, after the Bale to Madrid rumours went relatively quiet for a bit, they are now back in force. Bale looks set to move to the Spanish capital now in a world-record deal, although nothing should be taken for granted until it is 100% official in this saga.
Spurs have been very active during the transfer window, and don't look to be finished yet as they edge closer to completing a deal for Willian for a reported £30m. Whether Daniel Levy has spent money in an attempt to convince Bale to stay or spent the money Spurs will receive from Bale leaving, he has done some very good business this summer.
I would go as far as to say that Levy's transfer tactics should be an example to all clubs. Bale's exit looks increasingly likely, and Levy has probably known for some time that his star asset was on his way out, but he refused to let the winger go until: a) Madrid matched his valuation and b) he had brought in players that would fill the void left by the departing Bale.
Whether those signings do fill that significant hole left by Bale remains to be seen - it is certainly no easy feat - but Levy has identified and signed some quality players. Soldado is a proven goalscorer, while the likes of Paulinho, Capoue and Willian will really add some drive to their midfield. In losing a world-class winger Spurs have signed several very good players, and any manager will be quick to tell you that a very good team is better than a good team with one great player.
Should Bale perform a dramatic U-turn and decide to stay at White Hart Lane, I believe that they would have a realistic chance of challenging for the title. For what it is worth, if I was Bale I would be tempted to follow in the footsteps of manager Villas Boas and turn down Madrid at least for another season and Spurs look to be building something very exciting at White Hart Lane.
PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff in Georgia, which means that it is time for my match prediction! Tbilisi's stadium will be a cauldron of noise this afternoon, and such places are notoriously hard to go to. However, Tottenham have the far superior side, even with their injuries, and will be very disappointed if they fail to win this one. A draw may not be a terrible result to take back to White Hart Lane, but they will be aiming for a win and I think that they can get it. I'll go for a 3-1 win to Spurs.
These two teams actually met each other in the UEFA Cup way back in 1973. As is the case this season, the first leg of that tie was in Georgia and Tbilisi held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw. However, Spurs proved too good for their opponents in the second leg, thrashing them 5-1 at White Hart Lane to progress.
The 1960s and '70s was a period of great excitement for Tottenham fans as they were one of the top clubs in the country with plenty of ambition. There is an air of that returning to the club in the last few seasons, and this summer they have certainly been ambitious. Should, as expected, Willian join for £30m then it would be the third time that Spurs have broken their transfer record in this window alone.
As we near the start of this match, let me take the opportunity to remind you that Sports Mole are running a league in the Premier League fantasy football competition this season (http://fantasy.premierleague.com/). It is free to enter and the winners will receive a £100 prize. Join our league using the code 12799-455963. Will any Tottenham players make your squad?
Back to Tbilisi then and the players are emerging from the tunnel to a raucous atmosphere. The crowd will play a part this afternoon, you can be sure of that, but the '12th man' can only do so much and Tottenham's superior quality should eventually shine through.
KICKOFF: Here we go then! Spurs kick us off in Georgia ahead of a big 90 minutes for both sides.
Rose makes an early run down the left and whips a ball into the box that should be simple for the keeper to collect, but he makes an early fumble that will do nothing for his nerves.
The home fans get excited as Dvali latches on to a ball behind the defence, but he is five or six yards offside. Xisco still proceeds to lift the ball over Lloris, prompting cheers from the stands even though it won't count.
Soldado very nearly escapes and it takes a fine last-ditch tackle to deny the Spaniard what would have been a glorious chance. It was Kvaratskhelia who made the challenge and a small scramble ensued before the hosts finally scrambled it clear.
Paulinho has the first effort of the match, but it isn't one he will want to remember. Play opens up from him around 25 yards from goal and he is well within his rights to try a shot, but he lifts it a long way over the bar.
Tottenham can have no complaints over the state of the pitch here. It is in impeccable condition by the looks of things, and the entire stadium is pretty impressive. It is the Georgian national stadium as well as Tbilisi's and underwent a renovation a few seasons ago that has really improved it as a venue.
Tbilisi' brightest moment of the match sees Grigalashvili produce a fine solo run. He bursts into the box past Sigurdsson and Rose but Kaboul was able to get an important block in to stop the shot.
GOAL! Dinamo Tbilisi 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Andros Townsend)
Brilliant counter-attacking football from Tottenham! Sigurdsson clears the corner and Townsend picks the ball up just inside his own half. He has no-one in support but the Tbilisi defenders keep on backing off the Tottenham man, who advances to just outside the box before drilling the ball into the bottom right corner. He should not have been allowed to travel that far unchallenged with the ball.
You can see what that has done for the confidence of Townsend already. He is eager to get the ball whenever possible now and looks sharp in the early stages. It could be a big season for the winger as he looks to push for a first-team place at White Hart Lane.
SAVE! Good save from Loria to deny Soldado at the near post! A couple of Tbilisi defenders get themselves in a mix-up inside their own box which almost gifts the Spaniard a second goal in two games, but Loria made a smart stop, although any keeper would have been disappointed to let that in at the near post.
Spurs are controlling the ball now and Tbilisi are struggling to get into this match. This could be a long afternoon for them.
YELLOW CARD! Gvelesiani becomes the first man to enter the referee's notebook for a rash sliding tackle on Townsend right on the edge of the box. He won't be too upset at the card as Townsend looked ready to pull the trigger, but now Spurs have a free kick in a very good position.
CLOSE! Sigurdsson has been charged with the free kick duties in Bale's absence, and he shows why there. His free kick is the perfect height as he gets it over the wall and then back down again, but it is just a yard or so side and flicks the side netting on its way out. The keeper didn't look too worried, but that was not far away.
SAVE! Lloris is forced into a very smart save as Tbilisi come on an increasingly rare attack. A lovely backheel from Gigorlashvili gives the ball to Kvirkvelia who crosses it to the near post where Dvali is waiting. The striker still has an awful lot to do, but his flicked header is good and almost catches Lloris by surprise and the Frenchman is forced into a reaction stop.
Tbilisi are starting to enjoy more of the ball now. They are aiming their attacks down the flanks and have got into some decent positions in the last few minutes, but so far Tottenham have been able to deal with the danger.
Rose has a good chance to cross the ball, but he hits it high over the keeper's crossbar when well placed. That was a waste as Loria has looked uncomfortable under the high ball so far today.
YELLOW CARD! Oh, that isn't a pretty challenge. Khurtsilava comes right through the back of Sigurdsson long after the Tottenham man has released the ball, and he can have no complaints about the referee flashing his cards. Poor tackle.
There does appear to be plenty of pace in this Tbilisi side, which is why they are looking to attack down the wings when they do come forward. Spurs would not usually have any troubles dealing with pace but, with Walker, Bale and Lennon all sidelined, they are significantly slower than usual.
Capoue has made a couple of bright runs forward in the last couple of minutes, bundling past players rather than gliding beyond them. His latest run ends in a poor shot, however, as he balloons it well over the bar.
While Tbilisi seem content to focus all of their attacks down the wings, Spurs look eager to cut inside at every available opportunity. You can be sure that that wouldn't be the case with Lennon in the side, but with Sigurdsson and Townsend around it is getting quite packed in the middle of the park.
The only player who is looking to get to the byline is Danny Rose. The full-back does exactly that here and his cross is almost diverted into his own net by Loria. The keeper is fortunate to see the ball go out for a corner, which comes to nothing.
YELLOW CARD! Moussa Dembele becomes the first Tottenham name in the ref's book after a robust tackle. That may be a case of a totting up of fouls rather than solely for that tackle.
Grigalashvili looks to be Tbilisi's most likely route to creating something this afternoon. The tricky midfielder gets past two players on the edge of the box but can't keep his shot down at the end of it. Bright play from him, though.
TBILISI SUB: This is a big blow for the hosts. Xisco has been forced to limp off with what looks like a hamstring injury, and he is replaced by Patrick Vouho, who was on the books at Academica when Andre Villas Boas was manager there. One of his middle names is also 'Arsene', synonymous, of course, with Tottenham's bitter rivals Arsenal.
GOAL! Dinamo Tbilisi 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Paulinho)
Paulinho gets his first goal for Spurs, but he owes it all to Townsend. It is brilliant play from the winger as he beats the full-back with a clever Cruyff turn before clipping a perfectyl-weighted cross into the box, where Paulinho is waiting unmarked having made a late run into the box. It is a simple finish for the new signing, who couldn't have wished for an easier way to open his Tottenham account.
We will have one minute of added time at the end of this half.
The ball pops out from a cleared free kick and Rose attempts a very ambitious half volley from all of 40 yards out. He scored a similar effort on his debut against Arsenal, but this one skims along the floor and is easy for the keeper.
HALF TIME: Dinamo Tbilisi 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
So far so good for Tottenham, then. They are looking very comfortable with a 2-0 lead and Andre Villas Boas will be content with his side's performance so far. Andros Townsend has been the star of the show having scored the first and set up the second, but Tottenham are in control all over the pitch.
Tbilisi have failed to create much going forward so far. Grigalashvili has looked bright at times and has got himself into some promising positions, but his end product has been lacking so far. The closest the hosts have come was when Dvali flicked a header goalwards that Lloris had to be alert to stop.
Paulinho will be delighted to have opened his Tottenham account, but he does owe a lot of thanks to Townsend who put it on a plate for him. It was great wing play from Townsend, so beat his full-back all ends up before producing a very inviting ball.
Townsend was also impressive for the opening goal, showing good pace and control to carry the ball a long way in a counter attack before producing a smart low finish into the bottom corner. The defence will not be happy with their part in the goal having allowed the winger to carry the ball so far without ever really challenging him, but Townsend still had a lot to do.
Townsend aside, Tottenham have been dominant without really being at their best today. It is clear that they are missing a number of first team players as they don't have the same fluidity going forward as when the likes of Lennon and Bale are in the side, but they haven't needed to be at their best so far.
Sigurdsson has tended to cut inside whenever he has got the ball so far, which is making the middle of the park congested at times. Townsend has attacked down the wings more often than Sigurdsson, but he still prefers to cut inside onto his stronger left foot, leaving Danny Rose as the only man giving Spurs width.
That tactic is working for Andre Villas Boas so far, though, so he will be asking for more of the same in the second half. As things stand, Spurs will be all-but through with the second leg still to play, but another goal would put the tie beyond doubt. There is no way that this Tbilisi side would be able to turn over a three-goal deficit at White Hart Lane.
TBILISI SUB: The hosts have made their second change of the match at half time as Papava replaces Glisic.
KICKOFF: Tbilisi get us back underway in the second half. Will they be able to pull off a famous comeback in the next 45 minutes?
Bright start to the half from the hosts, but Dawson makes a good challenge to force the ball out for a corner, which comes to nothing. You feel that Tbilisi need to throw caution to the wind now - they have nothing to lose as they are all-but out if things stay the same.
It will be interesting to see what approach Spurs take to this second half. They could be tempted to go defensive due to their 2-0 lead, but this side is a naturally attacking one and I think that they will fancy their chances of getting a third goal and really killing the tie off.
Spurs will take fewer risks in the second half, I'm sure, but they won't be shy of committing numbers forward if they have a genuinely good chance.
The hosts have started this half the better without creating any clear chances. The Tottenham defence has been busier in the opening 10 minutes of the second half than they were for any stage in the first, but so far they are coping with the added pressure without the help of Lloris.
Tottenham's brightest moment of the half is eventually snuffed out by some panicky defending. Soldado and Paulinho linked up with each other just outside the box, but the final pass is intercepted to prevent a clear chance.
Tbilisi look to hit Spurs on the counter attack just as Tottenham did to them in the first half. Grigalashvili carries the ball down the right flank and puts it into a dangerous area with Merebashvili lurking at the back post, but Naughton is well positioned to put it behind for a corner.
GOAL! Dinamo Tbilisi 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur (Roberto Soldado)
That is surely the tie over and done with! Townsend is again instrumental as he races to the byline, showing far too much pace for the full-back to deal with. He pulls the ball back onto the edge of the six yard box where he knows Soldado will be waiting, and the current Tottenham record signing makes no mistake from close range, sweeping the ball under the keeper. That's two goals in two games for the Spaniard.
YELLOW CARD! Danny Rose is shown a yellow card for a foul on Grigalashvili, who did seem to go to ground fairly theatrically.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Tottenham can afford to make a few changes now as Villas Boas looks to rest some players. On comes Nacer Chadli to replace Gylfi Sigurdsson.
Party football from Tottenham now! Soldado gives it to Paulinho, who in turn passes it to Townsend in space inside the box. The winger tries to cut inside onto his favoured left foot and, instead of shooting, dinks a clever pass back to Paulinho who sends a bicycle kick wide.
GOAL! Dinamo Tbilisi 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur (Danny Rose)
Well, if the tie wasn't over before then it surely is now! Chadli pulls the ball back to Rose on the edge of the box and the full-back curls a magnificent first-time shot into the top corner. He could not have placed that better, and the keeper had absolutely no chance. That is Rose's first goal since that stunner against Arsenal on his debut - he doesn't score often but when he does they are spectacular!
GOAL! Dinamo Tbilisi 0-5 Tottenham Hotspur (Roberto Soldado)
This is in danger of getting embarrassing for Tbilisi. Chadli has his second assist in as many minutes, but this one is a lot more impressive than the first. His cross is superbly whipped into the corridor of uncertainty and Soldado is there for a simple tap in. That's his second of the night and both have been put on a plate for him.
SAVE! Grigalashvili isn't just going to give this one up. He finds space on the edge of the box again and this time manages to keep his shot down. It needs to be saved by Lloris, but it is comfortable for the Spurs keeper.
TOTTENHAM SUBS: Double change for Spurs with this match dead and buried. The youthful duo of Tom Carroll and Harry Kane come on for Paulinho and Soldado, who will not be getting his first Tottenham hat-trick today.
Some interesting news reaching us that Spurs will be very interested in, although it may be bad news for them. Chelsea have now reportedly entered the talks to sign Willian from Anzhi. You can read more on that unfolding story here.
Andros Townsend runs right across the field while looking for a shooting opportunity from range. When he eventually decides to hit it, the ball just bobbles and causes the winger to slice his effort high and wide.
CHANCE! Brilliant run from right back by Khurtsilava as he drifts past three Tottenham players before getting into the box and playing a square ball to Dvali, whose shot is saved by the feet of Lloris. That is probably Tbilisi's best chance of the day.
Fair play to the hosts, they have responded reasonably well to that quickfire double. They were in danger of totally capitulating, but have continued to plug away even though they must know that their European dream will come to an end at White Hart Lane next week.
For all of their effort, however, their body language speaks volumes. The shoulders are becoming hunched and the keeper is cutting a very disgruntled figure having conceded five times.
TBILISI SUB: Fair play to the coach, at this late stage he is making an attacking sub! On comes Dorin Goga for Dzaria.
SAVE! He hasn't been called upon too often tonight, but when he has been Lloris has been on top form. He is forced into making a a very good save from Vouho as the Ivorian lashed a loose ball towards the bottom corner.
OFF THE POST! So close to being 6-0! Moments after Lloris kept his clean sheet intact, Kane almost caps off the scoring with a good header. The youngster was found unmarked by a Chadli cross, and the keeper was rooted to the spot as he watched the header go past him, rebound off the post and fall right back into his arms.
CHANCE! Tbilisi have had a couple of chances to at least get a consolation goal here. The latest falls to Vouho, who scuffs his shot from inside the box when he should have done better. Kaboul may have just got a toe to the ball before the striker hit it, making it more difficult, but ultimately it was just a poor connection with the ball.
Tottenham, unsurprisingly, look happy with a 5-0 win right now. They aren't pushing for a sixth and, if anything, are inviting a bit of pressure onto themselves by letting Tbilisi have the ball in these closing stages.
Fair play to the Dinamo supporters, they are still bouncing up and down in the stands and supporting their team. They may not have been expecting to be beaten so emphatically tonight but very few of them would have expected to win this one, so they won't let a 5-0 defeat dampen their spirits too much.
There will be one minute of added time at the end of this match.
FULL TIME: Dinamo Tbilisi 0-5 Tottenham Hotspur
Well, that couldn't have gone much better for Tottenham. They outclassed Dinamo Tbilisi and will take a 5-0 lead back to White Hart Lane for what is now surely a dead-rubber second leg next week. Progress to the Europa League group stage is now all-but assured, and Villas Boas can return his focus to domestic duties for now.
The whole team played well without producing many breathtaking moments, but Andros Townsend in particular stood out. He scored one and created two more, giving his full-back the runaround for the vast majority of the match. Nacer Chadli also impressed when he came on, setting up the remaining two goals within three minutes of each other.
Goal of the day undoubtedly goes to Danny Rose, who whipped a spectacular curling effort into the top corner from the edge of the box. Soldado continued his perfect start to his Spurs career, netting twice from close range to make it three goals in two games for his new club, while Paulinho opened his account in the first half.
Plenty of positives to take from that match for Spurs, then. With a largely weakened side they still dominated proceedings, and their depth looks to be impressive going into the new season, with more faces still expected to arrive before the transfer deadline. Next up for Andre Villas Boas's side is a home tie against Swansea at the weekend as they look to build on the opening day win at Crystal Palace.
Right, that's all we have time for from me! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for what turned out to be an easy win for Spurs as they beat Dinamo Tbilisi 5-0. I will leave you with Steven Toplis's match report, and be sure to stick around for plenty more live action on the site. Swansea are about to get their Europa League campaign underway, which you can follow here, while we will also have coverage of Sevilla vs. Slask Wroclzw later today. From me, though, it is goodbye!
Written by
Barney Corkhill
Barney Corkhill
