Tottenham Hotspur took on Tromso IL at White Hart Lane this evening, in the first game of the Europa League group phase.
The hosts were several levels above their opponents throughout the match and could have scored even more.
Jermain Defoe scored two first-half goals, and could have had a hat trick before Spurs took a breather in the second half.
Christian Eriksen's introduction added some style to Spurs in the second half as they saw the game out.
See how the action unfolded with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute coverage below.
Thanks for joining me for this evening's Europa League game between Spurs and Norwegian side Tromso.
Before anything else, let's get the teams in...
TEAM NEWS
Spurs XI: Lloris; Naughton, Kaboul, Dawson, Rose; Sandro, Dembele; Lamela, Holtby, Sigurdsson; Defoe
Tromso XI: Sahlman; Causevic, Koppinen, Fojut, Kristiansen; Johansen, Bendiksen; Moldskred, Pricthard, Drage; Ondrasek
So, as expected, Roberto Soldado gets a rest and Defoe starts up front for Spurs. There is no debut for Vlad Chiriches though, whose work permit issues were sorted out this week. Christian Eriksen drops to the bench tonight, but fellow summer signing Erik Lamela starts.
Koppinen starts for the Norwegian visitors. The defender scored for Rosenberg in a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge six years ago, in what was Jose Mourinho's last game in charge during his first spell at Chelsea.
I think most people would be going for a home win tonight, and I am no different. It could be a similar game to their qualifying round, an eight-nil aggregate win over Dinamo Tbilisi.
Tromso are only in the competition because Besiktas, who beat them in the qualifiers, were disqualified by UEFA for their part in the Turkish match-fixing scandal. The visitors do have on-loan Fulham midfielder Josh Pritchard in their side, who may be able to give his teammates a insight into playing in London.
They did beat Rosenberg in the league on Sunday, but are currently down in 13th in the Norwegian first division, so Spurs' fans will be hoping for a goal or two tonight.
And if Spurs do find it difficult to break down their opponents, they've got the likes of Soldado and Eriksen among their substitutes this evening.
Andre Villas-Boas has decided to rotate his squad slightly tonight and I don't blame him. He's continued with the in-form Gylfi Sigurdsson, probably in the hope that he can carry on his goalscoring form. Alongside him there is Lewis Holtby and Erik Lamela, two players who are still finding their feet in this Spurs side, but two players who could certainly make the difference tonight. I'm very excited to see Lamela start, in particular.
Jermain Defoe is given a rare start tonight as well, and will want to remind his manager just what he can do when he gets his opportunity.
It really is hard to talk about anything other that a Spurs win I'm afraid. As I said, Tromso did beat Rosenberg at the weekend but have been largely disappointing in the league this season and come into tonight's game with a few injury problems.
Their biggest miss is Magnus Andersen, whose fourth goal of the season earned Sunday's league win, which was actually their first for nine games.
And midfield is where the game will be won or lost today. Spurs have a real wealth of talent that Tromso will have to keep an eye on. Holtby, Lamela and Sigurdsson will provide more than enough to deal with, but on top of that, Dembele will break from his deeper position to give extra support to Defoe.
Expect a fast start from Spurs tonight. The White Hart Lane crowd are usually in good voice for European nights, and I think they could push their side to a couple of early goals, which will settle any nerves.
Under 15 minutes to go until kick off now, so perhaps it is time for a prediction from yours truly. I think Spurs will keep a clean sheet this evening, and as I've said once or twice, they will get a few goals. 4-0.
It wouldn't be beyond the realms of fantasy to suggest that Spurs could lift this trophy in May. Of course, it is early days and there are many good sides in the mix, but Villas-Boas did win two years ago with Porto and must be desperate to add silverware to his White Hart Lane CV.
The players are making their way out onto the pitch ahead of the pre-match routine. Just a few minutes to go until kick off now.
Tromso kick off...
Spurs have started with Sigurdsson off the left and Holtby through the middle, but I'm sure the three attacking midfielders will rotate at every opportunity.
The hosts have not yet found their rhythm. Holtby is dropping deep and linking with the defence but they're failing to find white shirts in the final third.
Just as I say that, they put a good move together on the left, which see Rose cut into the box and fire at the near post on his right foot, but the goalkeeper gathers the ball comfortably.
Lamela picks up the ball for the first time and flicks it wide to Naughton on the overlarp. His cross is over hit but Rose gathers on the far side and keeps Spurs in possession.
Defoe and Sigurdsson almost combine on the edge of the box but Tromso get it away, only as far as Dembele who find Sigurdsson. His pass on to Rose is short and the 50-50 challenge goes against the Spurs man. Tromso free kick.
Tromso are managing to keep Spurs at bay for the minute. They've managed to push the game further up the pitch, allowing Bendiksen and Pritchard to get involved in the Spurs half.
Rose picks up the ball on the left, not for the first time, and forces a corner from the Tromso defence...
The delivery is poor though and evades everyone. Tromso initially play their way out of the corner but Holtby wins the ball back and bursts down the right, only to be crowded out.
Spurs putting pressure on Tromso now. The break through the middle, where Dembele finds Sigurdsson on the edge of the box. he can't quite get a shot away though and the visitors get the ball away again. Spurs are increasing the tempo now though.
CHANCE! Holtby picks the ball up on the right and plays Defoe through in the inside channel. The Spurs striker hits if low first time but the goalkeeper stays big and blocks the ball.
Lamela plays a nice one-two with Defoe and then Holtby as he cuts inside and finds Dembele on the edge of the box, unfortunately for Spurs, the Belgian's shot goes harmlessly over the bar.
SAVE! Rose again causing problems on the left. This time he flicks it inside towards Defoe, but the ball breaks for Sandro and then Sigurdsson, whose powerful shot is well-caught by Sahlman.
GOAL! Spurs 1-0 Tromso (Defoe)
Excellent goal from Defoe! Spurs get a break in the middle as Holtby picks up a loose ball and plays in Lamela. The Argentine plays a subtle first-time ball through for Defoe who makes no mistake this time, chipping the ball over the goalkeeper.
Spurs starting to gain some confidence now. Sandro plays the ball over the top for Lamela who run in off the right, but couldn't quite bring the ball down and Sahlman gathers.
CHANCE! Kaboul probably should do better, firing wide from close range after Tromso fail to deal with a corner.
GOAL! Spurs 2-0 Tromso (Defoe)
Another good goal from the Spurs striker. This time it comes from the right, as Sigurdsson finds Holtby who plays the England forward through and this time he places the ball into the far corner with his left foot.
Spurs are increasing the pressure once more following that goal. Lamela holds the ball up well in the right corner, allowing Holtby to run on to it but the latter can't quite reach the ball before the byline and Tromso have a goal kick.
Rose picks the ball up on the left again, but this time knocks the ball straight out of play and goes down. He seems to have been struggling for a few minutes and Jan Vertonghen is warming up as the Englishmen receives treatment.
SUBSTITUTION: Vertonghen does indeed replace the injured Rose.
Got a little ahead of myself there. Vertonghen is not yet ready, and Dembele fills in at left-back while his compatriot gets his shin pads on.
Spurs keep possession easily without pressure from their opponents. Tromso are happy to sit back despite their opponents playing with ten men. Kabouls breaks from the back but turns around and spreads it wide to Naughton.
An offside flag against Defoe finally allows Vertonghen onto the pitch. Spurs are more than comfortable at the moment.
Holtby turns well in the middle and spreads it wide to Dembele, who returns the ball but Holtby gifts possession to Tromso and then fouls Bendiksen.
Vertonghen shows excellent feet to skip away from two players on the left and plays it inside the Sandro, who keeps it moving to Naughton. The ball is eventually worked back to Defoe. He finds Holtby and then Sigurdsson, who fires wide from the edge fo the box.
Tromso have their first shot of the game! On-loan Fulham midfielder Pritchard picks up a loose ball and strides into the area but fires well wide.
SAVE! Defoe denied a hat trick with a good save from Sahlman! Sandro collects the ball of Vertonghen and fires it into Defoe, who cuts in off the left and hits it towards the far post, but the goalkeeper is there to tip it wide.
HALF-TIME: Spurs 2-0 Tromso
Spurs take a 2-0 half time lead and it could be even more. Defoe was denied a first-half hat trick just before the break, while the hosts have also squandered one or two other chances. Tromso have offered nothing going forward and the second half will be a case of how many for Andre Villas-Boas' men.
It really has been too easy for the home side. As I said, Tromso have offered nothing going forward and have struggled to deal with a Spurs side that have been in second gear in all honesty.
The injury to Danny Rose was the one negative for Spurs. He was involved regularly in the opening 20 minutes and while it won't really matter tonight, his absence will be a big problem in the next few days with Spurs playing on Sunday and again on Tuesday.
I think it will be a case of damage limitation for Tromso in the second 45 minutes, but as I say, if Spurs want to score more they will.
SUBSTITUTION: Lars Gunnar Johnsen replaces Bendiksen for Tromso at half time.
Spurs get us back underway...
Spurs waste a good chance to score early in the second half. Dembele powers away from Pritchard and spreads the ball wide for Naughton, whose cross finds Lamela in the box. The winger decides against shooting and plays it wide to Sigurdsson, who is crowded out.
Spurs taking a breather at the moment, passing the ball between their defence and midfield through Dembele, Sandro and Vertonghen. The former eventually fouls Johsen in midfield but Spurs clear the Tromso free kick.
The hosts are continuing to dominate possession but are failing to penetrate in the final third. The second half has started in a similar way to the first.
Lamela is starting to drift off the wing now, he collects Naughton's pass and plays it wide to Holtby, who comes inside and shoots but it goes harmlessly wide. Tromso are sitting back now and Spurs are in no hurry to force the issue too much.
Lamela again getting involved, collecting Holtby's back heel and finding the German again. Holtby looks to return the favour but his pass is cut out and Tromso clear.
Vertonghen's deflected cross is picked up but Sigurdsson on the edge of the box, who flicks it over his marker and fires at goal but unfortunately for him, his shot hits Defoe who is offside.
Great run from Moldskred, who beats Kaboul, Dawson and Vertonghen before trying to find Ondrasek on the left, luckily for the home side Naughton is on hand to intercept the ball on the edge of the box.
YELLOW CARD! The substitute Johnsen is booked for a poor hack at Dembele's ankles. The Spurs man looks in pain.
SUBSTITUTION: Tromso make another change, bringing on 18-year-old Kent-Are Antonsen in place of their skipper Koppinen.
SUBSTITUTION: A change for Spurs too, as Dembele is unable to continue. He goes off on a stretcher and is replaced by Eriksen.
Pricthard gets another half-chance for Tromso. Holtby loses out in midfield and the Welshman runs towards the penalty area before firing over the bar from 25 yards.
Tromso enjoying some possession in the Spurs half, Pritchard and Kristiansen combine well on the left and force a corner but Lloris punches the ball away and Sandro completes the clearance.
Holtby releases Defoe on the left and the striker decides to cross instead of shooting. Lamela can't get on the end of pass at the far post though and Spurs win a corner.
CHANCE! Tromso clear the initial corner but Eriksen collects the ball and chips it towards the back post, where Sandro's header is caught by the goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTION: Holtby is replaced by Paulinho for Spurs.
Sigurdsson misplaces his pass three times in a minute as Spurs, and Eriksen in particular, look to force the issue. The crowd are increasing the volume as well.
SUBSTITUTION: Magnus Andersen, who wasn't fit enough to start, replaces Drage for Tromso.
Spurs are still trying to find a third here but are really faltering in the opposition half. Eriksen is the only one able to find a teammate as several Spurs players are looking to do it all themselves.
It is the Dane who creates a chance for the hosts, playing in Paulinho on the left. The Brazilian loses his marker with a turn inside but can't pick out anyone in the box and over hits his cross.
GOAL! Spurs 3-0 Tromso (Eriksen)
What a goal! I said it had been Eriksen trying hardest to make something happen, and he just has, picking up the ball on the edge of the box and thumping it into the top corner.
Spurs will finish this game with ten men, having made all their subs, as Kaboul limps down the tunnel.
The hosts are playing the possession game once more, with a man down they are happy to see out the last couple of minutes.
FULL TIME: Spurs 3-0 Tromso
It was all too easy for Spurs this evening. The most troubling thing about their evening were the injuries to Kaboul, Dembele and Rose. Their opponents offered very little, bar one or two long-range efforts from Pritchard.
Spurs understandably took a breather in the second half, but struggled to get their game going again, until the introduction of Eriksen, who showed several nice touches before whipping an excellent shot into the top corner five minutes from the end.
There will be many tougher tests at White Hart Lane in Europe this season but Spurs can be happy with their display. Thanks for joining me, goodnight.
Written by
Daniel Cross
Daniel Cross
