Tottenham player ratings vs Roma - Fraser Forster impresses but too many fail in final third
Tottenham drew 2-2 with Roma in the Europa League on Thursday night and here are our Spurs player ratings from the match.
Spurs welcomed Claudio Ranieri's Serie A side knowing that a win would push them into a strong position in the big Europa League table. A top eight finish in those standings brings with it the opportunity to head straight into the knockout stages and avoid the extra play-off legs that come early next year.
Postecoglou had to pick a team without goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, Wilson Odobert and Mikey Moore, as well as the suspended Will Lankshear, while Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon are not registered to play in the Europa League.
Rodrigo Bentancur was available though as his seven-match ban is only for domestic matches and he was joined by Archie Gray at left-back, Fraser Forster and Brennan Johnson in four changes from the 4-0 triumph at the Etihad Stadium.
This time Spurs took the lead just three minutes into the European clash. Pape Matar Sarr was brought down in the box after running on to a Brennan Johnson cutback and although the referee waved it away, he was told to look at his pitchside monitor. The spot kick was duly awarded and Son Heung-min sent the goalkeeper Mile Svilar the wrong way with his penalty.
Roma grabbed an equaliser when Paulo Dybala's free-kick was flicked on by Evan N'Dicka and looped in off the crossbar. Brennan Johnson put Spurs back into the lead when he fired home a low cross from Dejan Kulusevski with a crisp, low first-time finish for his ninth goal of the season.
Both sides hit the woodwork either side of the break and Spurs managed it three times, while Roma had the ball in the net three times but VAR ruled them all out for clear offsides.
The visitors found a late leveller though when Mats Hummels slammed home from close range moments after Forster had made a stunning save to deny Mancini.
Here are our Tottenham player ratings:
Fraser Forster
Couldn't get near N'Dicka's looping header which was well away from him as it hit the bar. He made a couple of smart low stops from Dybala in the first half. Bailed out Porro late in the game after his weak back header, saving from Dovbyk. Made an amazing save from Mancini's close range volley even though he would have seen it late. Couldn't do anything about Hummel's late leveller. 8
Pedro Porro
Blocked an Angelino shot which deflected up on to the crossbar and he hit the woodwork himself with a free-kick at the other end moments later. Almost gifted Dovbyk a late equaliser only for Forster to save and was nowhere near Angelino's cross for the leveller. 5
Radu Dragusin
Defended solidly on the whole but the defence will be disappointed at the chances they conceded. 6
Ben Davies
Put his body on the line time and time again but could only watch the late leveller as Bissouma played everyone onside. 7
Archie Gray
Playing at left-back, he once again put in a mature performance and whipped in a couple of dangerous crosses one of which Solanke sent against the crossbar. 7
Pape Matar Sarr
Made a great run into the box to win the early spot kick. His passing ranged from sloppy with some short stuff to glorious with some longer efforts. Showed plenty of his trademark energy before coming off. 7
Rodrigo Bentancur
Lost N'Dicka for the Roma equaliser. Wasn't quite on his usual form, albeit with some good moments and looked tired before coming off. 6
Dejan Kulusevski
Fired up for the game and his low cross for Johnson's first-half goal was perfect. Hit the right-hand post with a low effort across the keeper. Had a shot blocked in the Roma box early in the second half. Tired a bit as the game wore on and he needs to recover quickly for the visit of Fulham. 7
Brennan Johnson
Picked out Sarr well in the build-up to the early spot penalty. Had a shot blocked inside the Roma box but made no mistake with a first-time finish from Kulusevski's low cross. Got a rocket from Postecoglou just before the break when he played the ball back instead of turning and getting the ball forward. Was less effective in the second half. 6
Dominic Solanke
Forced the keeper into a save with an acrobatic overhead kick after Johnson's effort was blocked. Had a second half shot saved when a pass to Maddison in space in the box was on. Headed a Gray cross against the crossbar in a busy performance. 6
Son Heung-min
Sent the keeper the wrong way with his early penalty. Blazed over the loose ball after Kulusevski hit the post and tested the keeper with a curling effort. Threatened at times but not quite in his full rhythm. 6
Subs
James Maddison
A couple of nice moments and could have scored if Solanke had given him the ball in space in the box. 6
Yves Bissouma
Brought fresh legs but played everyone onside for the late Roma leveller. 5
Lucas Bergvall
Came on late in the game and made a few defensive headers from corners. N/A
Timo Werner
Put Gray away for a cross that Solanke headed against the bar. N/A
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