Chris Sutton makes shock claim after Tottenham loss v AZ Alkmaar
Tottenham were subject to a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their Europa League tie against AZ Alkmaar and Chris Sutton has wasted no time piling in.
It was an own goal from Lucas Bergvall that proved to be decisive, with Spurs failing to meet the expected levels and recover in the round of 16 opener.
Ange Postecoglou’s side now go back to North London needing a minimum of two goals if they are to progress in the Europa League.
Sutton offers Tottenham comparison after Europa League loss
Postecoglou’s side have certainly had a tough season so far and that continued for them against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday (6 March).
Spurs did not offer enough in the final third yet again and despite several substitutions, the Lilywhites could not get themselves back into the game.
| Team | Possession | Shots | Shots on target |
| Tottenham | 62% | 7 | 1 |
| AZ Alkmaar | 38% | 12 | 5 |
An injury forcing Dominic Solanke off 19 minutes after he came on as a substitute perhaps summed up another disappointing evening for Postecoglou’s team.
This season, Spurs have not been too dissimilar to Rangers who have struggled in the Scottish Premiership and have only the Europa League left to play for.
However, they were left smiling after gaining a 3-1 victory over Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce which puts them in a good position heading to Ibrox.
Sutton wasted no time in comparing the results as he posted on X (6 March): “Scottish football showing English football how to play in Europe…”
That is despite huge victories in Europe for Aston Villa, Liverpool and Arsenal this week.
Tottenham have plenty of work to do
A 1-0 defeat was not the result that Postecoglou would have been hoping to come away with on Thursday and it puts his side in a difficult position going forward.
Although there is another leg of the game to be played, which could see everything change, Spurs have an uphill battle against them already as they go into the game already behind.
The Lilywhites will feel more confident on home turf but with plenty of pressure to deliver, it may well be a nervy night in North London too.
Given Manchester United drew in their trip to Real Sociedad, it’s not just Spurs bringing the English game down in Sutton’s view.
However, if Postecoglou’s side cannot come back from their defeat next Thursday (13 March) there will no doubt be a lot more, harsher criticism to be delivered to Tottenham.