Woeful Tottenham lose again in Europe

Tottenham Hotspur’s miserable European campaign continued with a dismal 1-0 defeat to Gent in the first leg of their Europa League last 32 tie.

Jeremy Perbet’s strike settled the contest with a scrappy strike just before the hour mark, with Hugo Lloris denying the Belgian hosts a second with a tremendous finger-tip save onto the post not long after.

The decisive goal came as Spurs were enjoying their best spell of the match, but Mauricio Pochettino’s side were made to pay for slack defending and a lack of intensity and tempo, particularly in the first half.

Spurs, who slumped into the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group, head back to Wembley Stadium for the return leg requiring a much-improved performance. Pochettino will face some pressing questions before then, with his side now suffering four defeats from seven continental matches this season.

What has happened to Spurs’ pressing game? When Pochettino named an attacking line-up the Spurs fans who made the journey to Belgium were surely heartened. They must have expected a similar attacking performance, but what they got was a bizarrely passive display. This came just days after a similarly lethargic performance in the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, so what has happened to Spurs’ pressing game? Why did they allow Gent to control the centre of the pitch and dictate possession under so little pressure?

Hugo Lloris: The Spurs goalkeeper didn’t have a great deal to do over the 90 minutes, picking the ball out of his net with his first involvement, but Lloris’ save in tipping a Danijel Milicevic shot on to the post just after Perbet’s opener might just have kept his side in the tie. That might prove to be a pivotal moment over the two legs, keeping Spurs within touching distance of Gent. There’s a big difference between a 1-0 win and a 2-0 win.

Gent: Kalinic 6, Mitrovic 6, Asare 6, Dejaegere 6, Gigot 6, Saief 7, Foket 7, Esiti 5, Simon 6, Milicevic 7, Perbet 7. Subs: Coulibaly 6, Kalu 5, Gershon 4.

Tottenham: Lloris 7, Walker 6, Alderweireld 5, Dier 5, Davies 5, Wanyama 5, Dembele 7, Winks 5, Sissoko 6, Dele 5, Kane 5. Subs: Eriksen 5, N’Koudou 5, Son 6.

49’ - OFF THE POST! That's the closest we have come to a goal this evening. Walker surged into the box, played it to Dele, who threw himself to the ground. The ball fell at the feet of Kane, but he clips his shot off the outside of the post.

58’ - GOAL! Gent 1-0 Spurs. That's just too easy! Gent drive into the Spurs penalty area before Perbet has the chance to sweep the ball into the net. The Belgians have the lead in this tie! They lead 1-0.

78’ - PUSHED ON TO THE POST! Alderweireld is robbed off the ball 25 yards out, with Milicevic getting a powerful shot away on goal, but Lloris got down well to save and push the ball on to the woodwork.

Spurs have won just two of their last 14 away games in all competitions.

Spurs have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 away games in all competitions.

Jeremy Perbet scored with Gent’s first shot on goal of the match.