Rennes 2-2 Tottenham: Spurs earn hard-fought draw but sweat over injuries ahead of Chelsea

Tottenham’s trip to Rennes was supposed to be a chance for them to rediscover their attacking mojo, but instead it turned into a night where Nuno Espirito Santo was counting the walking wounded.

Spurs are already light on attackers ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea, as Son Heung-min is struggling with a calf issue, and now their problems could get worse.

Both Lucas Moura and Steven Bergwijn limped off during this 2-2 draw with Rennes after strong tackles from the French side. Bergwijn came off after half an hour and Lucas shortly after 50 minutes. Tellingly, Nuno hooked Harry Kane as Lucas went off. He couldn’t risk losing another attacker.

Before Tottenham were sweating over the fitness of players, they started this match in the perfect fashion. Tanguy Ndombele, handed his first start of the season, kicked off the move that led to the opening goal in the 11th minute with a delightful backheel. Kane then played in Lucas round the corner and, when the Brazilian fired a cross in, Rennes defender Loic Bade turned the ball into his own net.

You expected Spurs to kick on from there, but instead the goal sparked the hosts into life.They went close to equalising in the 19th minute and then, four minutes later, they were back on level terms. Flavien Tait played a neat one-two with Serhou Guirassy on the edge of the box before curling the ball past Pierluigi Gollini.

It was no more than Rennes deserved and the vocal home fans urged them to continue taking the game to Tottenham. They duly obliged and could’ve been ahead before half-time.

As it was Spurs held firm, but they fell behind with 19 minutes to go as Gaetan Laborde poked home the rebound from Kamaldeen Sulemana’s shot - which Pierluigi Gollini could only palm at the feet of the Rennes forward. With Bergwijn and Lucas already nursing injuries on the bench, you felt like this wasn’t going to be Tottenham’s night.

But they managed to claim a point as substitute Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was able to poke the ball home when Matt Doherty’s cross fell to him in the 76th minute. It spared Spurs’ blushes and ensured they left France with a draw. The big worry, however, is how many players are still standing in time for Chelsea on Sunday.

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