Half-Time Report: Tottenham Hotspur secure advantage against Asteras Tripolis

Harry Kane's early goal and a moment of magic from Erik Lamela have given Tottenham Hotspur a 2-0 half-time lead over Asteras Tripolis.

The visitors didn't see much of the ball in the early stages, but they could have taken a surprise lead had Pablo Mazza not dragged a shot wide after breaking free of the Spurs defence.

It was the hosts who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Kane took advantage of the space gifted to him by picking out the bottom corner from 25 yards.

Etienne Capoue came close to doubling his side's lead, but Tomas Kosicky came off his line quickly enough to block the midfielder's effort.

Asteras then enjoyed a spell on top as Giorgos Zisopoulos headed just over the crossbar, before Facundo Parra was denied by a fine save from Hugo Lloris.

The memorable moment of the first half arrived when a loose ball rolled across the box to Lamela, who fooled Kosicky by hitting the back of the net with a stunning rabona effort to the delight of the home crowd.

Andros Townsend came agonisingly close to making it 3-0 before the break when his swerving shot drifted a yard wide of the top corner.