Solanke stuns Sky Sports pundit in Tottenham v AZ Alkmaar as ‘lovely’ claim made
Dominic Solanke was an influential figure as Tottenham took a one-goal lead against AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.
After a frustrating start to the game, Tottenham nullified Alkmaar’s one-goal lead from the first leg through Wilson Odobert after 26 minutes on the clock.
The ball fell to Solanke in the Alkmaar box after Son Heung-min forced an error from the opposition defenders and while the striker could have gone for glory himself, he set it up for Odobert to finish.
The 20-year-old still had a lot of work to do, but nevertheless managed to find the top-right corner of the goal with precision, putting Spurs level on aggregate and setting up a thrilling second half.
Darren Ambrose wowed by unselfish Solanke
Reacting to the goal in the Sky Sports News studio, Darren Ambrose described Odobert’s finish as “lovely”, while also reserving praise for Solanke.
| Accurate Passes | Assists | Big Chances Created | Touches | Successful Dribbles |
| 5/8 (62%) | 1 | 1 | 16 | 1/1 |
The former midfielder was blown away by the ex-Bournemouth frontman’s unselfishness in front of goal despite being a goalscorer himself.
“They tried to play out from the back and as the defenders try, I think it’s Son, it’s hit Son and landed in front of Solanke”, Ambrose said on Sky Sports News (13 March, 8: 07 pm).
“He could have shot, [but] unselfishly he’s squared it across to Wilson Odobert [who finishes it] with a lovely left foot finish into the top corner.
“I’m just watching the replay now. They’re trying to play out from the back, AZ Alkmaar.
“Son shuts him down and he’s just hit it at him, and it’s landed in front of Solanke.
“He could have shot, [but] rolls it, squares it unselfishly, and a lovely finish, Wilson Odobert. 1-0 Spurs, back in it 1-1. It’s game on.”
Tottenham on hunt for winner v AZ Alkmaar
With the scoreline reading 1-1 on aggregate, Tottenham will now be determined to take the lead in the tie when the second half kicks off.
Having managed to force an error from AZ Alkmaar to score their first, Ange Postecoglou’s side will be confident of adding more to the tally before the final whistle.
With the North London giants already out of domestic cup competitions, it is imperative that they progress further in the Europa League.
The European competition is Tottenham’s only chance of winning silverware this season as they also sit 13th in the Premier League with only 10 games left to play.
With Manchester United, Lyon and Athletic Bilbao among the teams remaining, there is no reason why Postecoglou and Co cannot aspire to go all the way in the Europa League this season.