Kane and Lamela inspire Spurs past Asteras
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Article summary
Tottenham Hotspur FC 5-1 Asteras Tripolis FC
A Harry Kane hat-trick and two from Erik Lamela – one an amazing 'rabona' finish – earned Spurs their first Group C success.
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Article body
• Spurs record their first victory in Group C to leapfrog Asteras
• Harry Kane gives Spurs a 13th-minute lead and two late goals complete his hat-trick
• Erik Lamela's 'rabona' finish makes it 2-0 and he scores again after half-time.
• Hugo Lloris sent off for Spurs in the closing stages before Jerónimo Barrales replies
• Next games: Asteras v Tottenham (6 November)
Harry Kane struck a hat-trick and Erik Lamela scored one of the great UEFA Europa League goals as Tottenham Hotspur FC recorded their first victory in Group C.
Spurs were already one to the good through a fine long-range drive from Kane before Lamela's sensational effort on the half-hour mark, the midfielder meeting a loose ball on the edge of the area with an outrageous curling 'rabona' finish. Lamela (66) and Kane (76, 81) added further goals before Jerónimo Barrales pulled one back following Hugo Lloris' dismissal.
Asteras started the evening top of the section and Pablo Mazza swept an early chance wide for the buoyant Greek side before Kane fizzed his first attempt past the post. The visitors did not heed that warning and paid dearly when Kane was fed by Étienne Capoue 25 metres out, the striker rifling a low effort across Tomás Kosický and in off the far upright in the 13th minute.
Staikos Vergetis' men passed up two presentable opportunities to level, first when Thanasis Panteliadis' free-kick was headed just over by Giorgos Zisopoulos then when Facundo Parra drilled against Ben Davies on the line having rounded Lloris. Again, they quickly counted the cost. Emmanuel Adebayor's tenacity troubled the Asteras defence and when the ball broke to Lamela he produced a moment of sublime brilliance.
Lamela came to the fore again in the 66th minute. The Argentinian's first left-footed swipe was blocked high into the air only for his cultured volley to hurtle inside the near post. It was 4-0 ten minutes later as Kosický could only parry Mousa Dembélé's drive and Kane pounced from close range, a harsh scoreline on Asteras who were denied a route back into the contest moments earlier thanks to a fine reflex save from Lloris to repel Fernando Usero's acrobatic attempt.
There was still more to come, Federico Fazio clipping in an inviting back-post cross that Kane gleefully headed in to complete his treble and move Spurs joint top of the group with Beşiktaş JK. Asteras, one point adrift, pulled a goal back when Barrales' free-kick sneaked under Kane - the striker donning the goalkeeping gloves after Lloris was dismissed for a professional foul.