Hoffenheim2 - 3Spurs

Spurs raced into an early lead when James Maddison fired in the opening goal of the evening for the visitors.

Things got even better for the visitors when Maddison played a ball through to Son Heung-Min, who found the net to double Tottenham's lead.

In the second half, the hosts thought that they had a penalty and a route back into the game, but it was overturned by VAR before Anton Stach reduced the deficit to make it 2-1.

Any hopes of a comeback then seemingly faded, as the visitors added a third through Son before David Mokwa headed in what proved to be a late consolation goal for the hosts.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

Spurs have undoubtedly had a difficult time lately, and their Premier League campaign has certainly suffered as a result of their poor form.

However, in the Europa League, things appear to be going a lot better - with 14 points on the board, they are currently fourth in the standings, and it would take a lot for them not to reach the knockout stages automatically from here.

Their performance in the first half showed how deadly they can be in attack when they perform at their best, and, rather uncharacteristically for Tottenham lately, they defended well when they needed to.

The running joke about Spurs is that they so often help cure the worst of teams from their problems when they play them, but tonight, it was Hoffenheim playing the doctor role in the first half.

The hosts threatened to stage a late comeback by piling on the pressure in the second half, but Tottenham survived and were worthy winners on the night.

Hoffenheim have left themselves in a tricky position in the competition, with the German outfit now needing a win against Anderlecht next time out to have any chance of progressing to the next stage.

HOFFENHEIM VS. TOTTENHAM HIGHLIGHTS

James Maddison goal vs. Hoffenheim (3rd min, Hoffenheim 0-1 Tottenham)

What a start for Ange Postecoglou's side!

We are only a few minutes in here, and Spurs have the lead through Maddison, who receives a wonderful pass from Pedro Porro before he brings the ball down and smashes the ball past Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann.

Son Heung-Min goal vs. Hoffenheim (22nd min, Hoffenheim 0-2 Tottenham)

Tottenham are getting the job done tonight!

Maddison intercepted a loose ball and then fed it through to Son, who had an element of good fortune in that Maddison's ball deflected through and bounced kindly for him before his shot then took another deflection before beating Baumann to put Spurs in control here in Germany.

Anton Stach goal vs. Tottenham (68th min, Hoffenheim 1-2 Tottenham)

The second half has been very different here!

Moments after having a penalty overturned by VAR, the hosts have pulled one back through Stach, who pokes in from close range to set up a nervy ending for Spurs here.

Son Heung-Min vs. Hoffenheim (77th min, Hoffenheim 1-3 Tottenham)

Tottenham's tension did not last long, as Son has surely secured the victory for Postecoglou's side here.

The visitors have barely been able to attack this half, but after Rodrigo Bentancur won possession for Spurs, he found Mikey Moore, who then fed the ball to Son, who blasted the ball past the keeper to make it 3-1.

David Mokwa vs. Tottenham (88th min, Hoffenheim 2-3 Tottenham)

Surely not?

A great cross from Andrej Kramaric is met by the head of Mokwa, who makes it 3-2 now with just minutes to go! Could they?

MAN OF THE MATCH - JAMES MADDISON

It feels harsh not giving this to Son after his two goals, but Maddison was equally as important for Tottenham tonight, as his goal got them on the path to victory early on.

He also got an assist for Son's first goal of the evening, so Maddison just about edges this one, but it was close between those two.

HOFFENHEIM VS. TOTTENHAM MATCH STATS

Possession: Hoffenheim 56%-44% Tottenham

Shots: Hoffenheim 22-8 Tottenham

Shots on target: Hoffenheim 5-5 Tottenham

Corners: Hoffenheim 6-4 Tottenham

Fouls: Hoffenheim 6-6 Tottenham

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Tottenham host Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, hoping to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone in the Premier League, before finishing their Europa League group phase with a match at home to Elfsborg next Thursday.

Meanwhile, Hoffenheim host Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday and then travel to Belgium to take on Anderlecht in the Europa League on Thursday.

Written by

Tom Humphrey