Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina in their first-leg round-of-32 Europa League tie at White Hart Lane tonight.
Roberto Soldado fired Mauricio Pochettino's side into an early lead, but Jose Basanta grabbed a crucial away goal for the visitors on 36 minutes.
© Getty Images
Spurs had the luxury of a nine-day break leading up to this one, and the hosts looked full of energy early on as they edged ahead inside seven minutes.
Having saved from Nacer Chadli moments earlier, goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu was given no chance from the resulting corner when Soldado volleyed home Paulinho's delivery.
The Lilywhites continued to dominate, as Christian Eriksen drilled narrowly over, while an ebullient Soldado saw his audacious overhead saved by Tatarusanu.
Vincenzo Montella's side restored parity on 36 minutes, however, when Basanta was on hand to tap home from close range after Hugo Lloris failed to deal with a free kick.
The Serie A side started the second half on top and Chelsea loanee Mohamed Salah curled just wide of Lloris's goal on 48 minutes.
Andros Townsend fired narrowly wide of the post on 65 minutes, while Paulinho was denied by Tatarusanu after racing on to Soldado's clever flick, but Spurs were forced to settle for a draw.
Shane Callaghan
