It says plenty about the unrest around Tottenham Hotspur that even the beloved Son Heung-min has faced severe criticism from the club’s supporters in recent days. Some have even questioned whether, at the age of 32, the South Korean has lost the sharpness that has defined his Spurs career.

It was perhaps with those barbs in mind, then, that the Spurs captain struck two important goals to secure a battling, draining and ultimately rewarding victory over Hoffenheim in Germany. His second goal, which proved to be the winner, was the sort of strike he has been scoring for years: a sway of the hips to create some space, and then a powerful finish into the corner of the net.

One suspects that Son could reach the age of 50, long past the point of retirement, and still be able to produce this precise move on this precise part of the pitch. It is so ingrained in his muscle memory that, it seems, he does not even have to think before unleashing such a finish.

“Sonny led from the front,” said Ange Postecoglou. “Look, we are all copping stick at the moment. That is the nature of the beast. What we do, as footballers and managers, we are all in the firing line at the moment. Whether it is warranted or not, you have to stand up and reply to it in the proper way. I thought he did that tonight.”

A run of one victory in 10 games in the Premier League has led to all this soul-searching and stick-copping at Spurs, and a 3-2 victory in the Europa League – against a poor Hoffenheim team – will not erase those concerns. It was undoubtedly a step forward for Postecoglou’s players, though, and for Son in particular.

Does it matter that Spurs, and Son himself, did not play especially well in Germany? In Son’s case, he still did his job by producing two decisive moments in front of goal. His finishes put Spurs in a strong position to qualify automatically for the Europa League knockout stages.

It would also be hard to judge Spurs and Son’s overall performances without acknowledging the sheer exhaustion that has taken hold of Postecoglou’s squad. They came here without a total of 14 first-team players, through injury and ineligibility, and at the end they had five teenage players on the pitch.

Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, the two 18-year-olds who have held this team together at times in recent weeks, responded to the final whistle by collapsing to the turf. At one point, it seemed as if they might have to crawl back to the team plane.

“These players are exhausted, mate,” said Postecoglou. “They are professional footballers who are just 24/7 trying to recover right now. All of them. They are giving everything.”

In the first half, when Spurs played sparkling football for half an hour, there were also encouraging performances from James Maddison and Richarlison. The return of Richarlison, making only his second start of the campaign, could be an important development while Dominic Solanke is injured for the next six weeks.

It should be noted that Hoffenheim were far from the most formidable opposition. The German side are currently 15th in the Bundesliga, and in the first half they were comically open in defence. Maddison and Son could not believe their luck as they ran through again and again in the opening 30 minutes. “In the first half I thought we played really well,” said Postecoglou.

Maddison’s opening goal was a beauty, converted high into the net after the midfielder produced a fabulous first touch to control Pedro Porro’s long pass. Son added the second with a deflected effort that looped over Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.

Spurs might have scored three or four in these dominant moments but the game was to turn after the break, when Postecoglou’s side began to run out of energy. Anton Stach converted a left-wing cross for Hoffenheim, who also had a penalty awarded and then overturned after Spurs goalkeeper Brandon Austin was wrongly accused of catching his opponent in the face.

Son’s second goal, set up by teenage substitute Mikey Moore, was a classic of the genre. On the counter attack, he produced a sharp stepover to create space for himself, and then drilled a low shot into the far corner. Hoffenheim struck again through David Mokwa’s header, but Son’s intervention – which was also his riposte to his critics – ultimately proved to be enough for Spurs.

08:07 PM GMT

Postecoglou: The senior boys stood up tonight

Postecoglou gives his post-match views to TNT Sports.

On how it feels to win in Europe: “Yeah, pretty good. It’s not easy to get away wins in Europe. Watching the Champions league last night there was only one away victory, so its tough, but credit to the boys. Outstanding first half, played really well, we looked a bit tired in the second half but we hung on. Sonny scored a great goal to give us that extra buffer and we had the schoolboys out there at the end – and it was a great victory.

On whether he wanted Maddison to play a bit higher: “Yeah, we wanted to be a bit more aggressive, and that’s when Madders is at his best, we knew if we scored early it would put some pressure on them and allow us to get a real good foothold in the game. He was good all night, got a bit tired in the second half but he caused them a lot of problems.”

On Son’s goals: “Yeah he was great. I thought the senior boys did great tonight, Madders, Benny, Rodri, Sonny, they all really stood up. With such an inexperienced, young team playing in Europe you need your leaders to stand up, and they did that tonight .”

07:56 PM GMT

Spurs march fourth

It was an absorbing game for the neutral but must have been excruciating for Spurs fans.

They were absolutely cruising in the first half but took their foot off the pedal in the second.

Perhaps it was tiredness, perhaps it was players playing out of position or maybe even it was confidence, which has been drained out of these players after so many dispiriting defeats.

But they held on. And as we speak Spurs are up to fourth place in the Europa (Super) League table and so just need to get past Elfsborg at home next week to avoid an unnecessary play-off.

A piece of cake then...

07:41 PM GMT

FT: Hoffenheim 2 Spurs 3

Peeep!

Spurs hold on for a hard-earned win which should have been so much more comfortable on the evidence of the first half.

They wasted chances, though, and then allowed Hoffenheim back into the match in the second half. In fact the Germans in the end might well have come away with a point, especially had the referee not changed his mind about awarding that penalty.

They had 23 shots, Hoffenheim. But Spurs cling on for a vital win which revives their hopes of progressing in Europe.

07:37 PM GMT

90+3 mins: Hoffenheim 2 Spurs 3

In all the furore I forgot to mention:

Substitutions:

James Maddison OUT
Callum Odusesi IN

07:36 PM GMT

90+1 mins: Hoffenheim 2 Spurs 3

Hoffenheim are pressing hard for a late equaliser in a tense finale of five added minutes.

Davies makes a crucial intervention but Hoffenheim have all the time in the world to curl over another cross.

The ball hits Archie Gray on the arm and the whole stadium pleads for another penalty... not given!

Seen them given.

07:31 PM GMT

87 mins: Hoffenheim 2 Spurs 3

GOAAAALLL! 

Hoffenheim pull another goal back.

Spurs go to sleep at the back there as a curling cross is delivered to the far post where substitute David Mokwa arrives to plant a firm header into the net.

The crowd are up again and we are witnessing another Spurs goalfest.

07:29 PM GMT

85 mins: Hoffenheim 1 Spurs 3

Spurs look as though they are home and hosed now.

They just need to look after the ball and not do anything silly.

07:25 PM GMT

80 mins: Hoffenheim 1 Spurs 3

Substitutions:

Adam Hlozek OUT
Forian Micheler IN

Tom Bischof OUT
Arthur Chaves IN

Son OUT
William Lankshear IN

Anton Stach OUT
David Mokwa IN

07:20 PM GMT

77 mins: Hoffenheim 1 Spurs 3

GOOAAALLL!

And Son scores again!

Spurs manage to win possession off a loose pass out from the back and Moore plays Son in down the left. The Spurs captain throws in a step-over before firing low across goal with a fine finish. Just what the doctor ordered.

07:19 PM GMT

75 mins: Hoffenheim 1 Spurs 2

Spurs could really do with a third goal here as the pressure mounts on the visitors.

They have been uncharacteristically passive this half and invited Hoffenheim into the game.

Then again, it was while trying to score a third that they got hit on the break.

07:10 PM GMT

68 mins: Hoffenheim 1 Spurs 2

GOAAAALLL! 

Hoffenheim score.

Spurs are on the attack but Son’s cross is intercepted in the area and the hosts launch a rapid counter-attack.

The ball is fed down the left flank and a perfect low centre is delivered for Stach to reach with an outstretched leg and reduce the arrears.

That goal had been coming.

Spurs can have no complaints about that goal, really. They have been wobbling throughout this second half, giving the ball away cheaply (one poor pass by Maddison infuriated Postecoglou) and inviting pressure. After such an impressive start to this game, they look nervous now.

07:09 PM GMT

65 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

Penalty! Austin comes out to punch clear a deflected cross but his fist makes contact with Moerstedt and the referee awards a spot-kick.

The penalty is about to be taken but just as it is, Morten Krogh, the Danish referee, suddenly decides to go over to the monitor and have a second look.

After several watches of the replay he decides to change his mind and not give the penalty! It;s probably just about the right call, but why did he leave it so late to take a look at the replay? You’ve got to love VAR!

Massive let-off for Spurs.

That was a strange use of VAR. The referee seemed to get all the players to set up for the penalty, including the taker, before then deciding to review the pitchside monitor. Did he get the message late? If so, he’s lucky it wasn’t a few seconds later as he seemed set to blow his whistle.

07:04 PM GMT

59 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

But it’s still Hoffenheim turning the screw. Crosses are flying in thick and fast and the latest is a fizzing low centre from the left, which Austin has to pounce on.

Moments later and Bischof almost scores with a wonderful chip à la Glenn Hoddle.

From the area’s edge he wafts an effort over the keeper and it drifts agonisingly wide.

07:01 PM GMT

57 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

Substitution:

Richarlison OUT
Mikey Moore IN.

Spurs needed to do something to get up the pitch and Postecoglou has acted by bringing on their great white hope Mikey Moore.

The club have high hopes for the academy graduate, who is returning from a two-month illness absence, and this could be the perfect stage for him to show what he is made of.

06:58 PM GMT

54 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

Hoffenheim are pinning Spurs back in their own half but have so far lacked the ingenuity to provide the crucial final ball.

But there’s one! A wonderful curling cross from the right is met by Kramaric, and the former Leicester man hits the bar with his looping header!

Let off for Spurs. Kramaric is good in the air and he was all alone there.

The home supporters are relentlessly banging their drums behind the Spurs goal and their team is now finding more of a rhythm on the pitch. Young Tom Bischof, only 19, is becoming more and more involved. He’s joining Bayern Munich at the end of this season and you can see why those giants of the game would like the look of him. Spurs just need to settle down for a few minutes.

06:52 PM GMT

49 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

Christian Ilzer’s side have started the second half well. They have got the ball out wide on the left three times already but on each occasion have failed to beat the first man.

Spurs need to get the ball up the other end to relieve this seemingly unrelenting spell of pressure from the German side.

06:48 PM GMT

46 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

And we’re under way in the second half. No substitutions have been made as of yet.

I don’t suppose Postecoglou is exactly spoilt for choice on that front, but in fairness if they play the way they did in the first half plenty more chances will fall their way.

06:35 PM GMT

45+1 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

Hoffenheim miss a glorious chance to halve the deficit.

The hosts work the ball over from the right wing and the ball falls to Finn Ole Becker, who has a free shot at goal, but he contrives to hit it straight at Austin with the whole goal at his mercy.

And the whistle blows for half-time.

06:32 PM GMT

44 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

The crowd are making a lot more noise now that their team are making a game of it.

It’s as though the hosts have suddenly realised Spurs’ defence is vulnerable.

Maddison curls in a glorious free-kick for Lucas Bergvall to head goalwards from five yards out. But the Swede, unmarked, gets his timing all wrong and the ball connects with his shoulder, enabling Baumann to save.

06:27 PM GMT

39 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

Another chance for Hoffenheim goes begging as Max Moerstedt can’t beat Austin.

The rangey striker tries to control a difficult bouncing ball in the area, manages to lift it over Dragusin, but his shot lacks the power when he finally gets it away. Gray did enough to challenge him and put him of his stride. Well played, that man.

06:24 PM GMT

35 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

Hoffenheim earn a free-kick wide on the left, which Bischof takes, but Andrej Kamaric heads wide.

Moments later and Adam Stach should score. Spurs’ defence opens up like a can of beans and as the ball falls to the midfielder he somehow gets it stuck under his feet. A good touch and a shot and Hoffenheim would have been back in the match.

Spurs are playing with a real sense of liberation right now, which is understandable given the stress they have been under in recent weeks. These have been difficult days and they seem to be enjoying the chance to let loose a bit, to pop the ball around in attack and create chances. There’s very little angst. For now...

06:19 PM GMT

30 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

Hoffenheim are finally enjoying a spell of possession and they work a patient passing move wide to the right.

Spurs fail to deal with the cross and Bischof fires low to Austin’s right. But the Spurs academy graduate gets down well to make the save.

06:12 PM GMT

22 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 2

GOAAAALLL!

This time Son does score. Set up after a wonderful piece of skill by Maddison. The England international span on a six-pence after receiving a pass, changed direction to move infield and played Son in with a neat through ball, which Stanley Nsoki can only help towards the attacking midfielder with an outsretched leg. Son struggles to get the ball under control and his touch takes him slightly wide, but as he shoots his effort deflects off the sliding tackle of Pavel Kaderabek and over Baumann before bobbling into the net.

The German side are furious because moments earlier Bentancur had inadvertently handled the ball when getting in the way of a shot. It would have been a harsh call if given but for once Spurs get the rub of the green.

This is turning into a highly enjoyable evening for Spurs, and for Maddison in particular. Having scored a fine goal of his own, he has just created Son’s second with an excellent run-and-pass through the heart of the pitch.

We’re midway through the first half and it would be safe to say, I think, that Hoffenheim are not making this particularly difficult for their opponents. The Germans are leaving so much space in behind.

06:03 PM GMT

16 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 1

Son is picked out with a searching ball over Hoffenheim’s dangerously high line.

The Spurs captain cuts inside and, from 20 yards out, you would fancy him to hit the target from here, but the South Korea international gets under his shot and sends it flying over the bar.

06:00 PM GMT

12 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 1

It’s all Spurs just now and this time Son plays Pedro Porro in on goal.

The Spaniard must score! But no. He drags a left-footed shot wide from eight yards out. Terrible miss!

05:59 PM GMT

9 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 1

Another chance from Spurs as Rodrigo Bentancur wins possession and finds Dejan Kulusevski who threads a perfect through ball into the path of Richarlison. He only has the keeper to beat but he hits his shot straight at Oliver Baumann.

05:57 PM GMT

7 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 1

Hoffenheim launch their first attack of note as Tom Bischof plays the ball inside to Adam Hlozek. The Czech international tries a thumping shot but Radu Dragusin makes a brave block.

05:51 PM GMT

4 mins: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 1

GOAAAALLL!

That’s a beautiful finish by Maddison.

Pedro Porro plays the midfielder into the area with a delightful ball over the top, Maddison controls it balletically in mid-air and then fires a shot high into the net from eight yards out. Lovely goal!

That’s a fabulous first touch by Maddison, plucking the ball out of the air, in a full sprint, with no margin for error. The sort of technical ability that separates good players from international-standard players. Dominant start by Spurs .

05:49 PM GMT

3 min: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 0

Early half-chace for Spurs as James Maddison finds Richarlison on the left flank. The Brazilian cuts inside and curls a cross into the area with the outside of his foot which Kulusevski can’t quite reach ahead of the keeper.

05:47 PM GMT

1 min: Hoffenheim 0 Spurs 0

It’ll be interesting to see how Archie Gray fares at left-back. The 18-year-old has played all across the back line this season and he’s not even a defender. Still, what an amazing apprenticeship he’s having.

And we’re off.

05:41 PM GMT

Postecoglou: It’s good to have Bentancur back

Ange Postecoglou is speaking ahead of the match.

On Brandon Austin’s inclusion: “I thought he did well when he came in last time, he’s still been training well, even though we put Tony in once we signed him, but with Tony ineligible I’m confident Brandon will do a good job”

On Archie Gray plying at left-back this time: “He’s a great kid, we’ll just try and give him as much information, he takes every challenge on and doesn’t really shy away from it, he’s acquitting himself really well, especially in Europe, so I’m looking forward to a good performance from him today.

On Bentancur’s return: “He’s been really great for us when he’s played and he’s been missing for various reasons this year. We’ve missed him when he’s been out so it’s good to get him back. Playing away in Europe you need some calmness, experienced heads and hopefully he can provide that.”

On how many minutes Richarlison can play: “We’ll see. We’re slowly building him up. It won’t be 90 but we’ll see how he goes, he feels good and he’s worked well in training so he gets a first start.”

On Hoffenheim being up for the European tie: “It’s a big game for us, we’ve got to handle the atmosphere, handle the opposition, it’s mainly about staying calm and playing our football. Winning away in Europe is always tough but we’ve done well in this competition and we need a god result to give ourselves a really good chance of finishing in the top eight, with a home game next week.”

05:24 PM GMT

How they stand

Spurs are just goal difference behind Rangers, with whom they shared a 1-1 draw last time out.

A win here will do a world of good for their prospects of avoiding a play-off round – the last thing they need given their injury issues and fixture congestion.

Postecoglou’s side will certainly “give it a go, mate” as is their manager’s wont. But Hoffenheim, even though they are languishing in 27th in the gigantic Europa (super) League table – and are not faring much better in the Bundesliga, where they lie 15th – have a resolute record in Europe. They have kept six clean sheets in their last 12 European group stage and league phase matches.

05:15 PM GMT

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05:05 PM GMT

Kulusevski, Richarlison and Son up top

At least Dejan Kulusevski, Richarlison and Son Heung-min are fit. And they constitute Spurs’ three-pronged front line this evening, with James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur providing the service from midfield.

Here are the teams...

The hosts:

Anton Stach gets the green light to play for Hoffenheim after recovering from a thigh injury, while. Andrej Kramaric, the Croatia international and former Leicester striker, also gets a run out.

Hoffenheim: Baumann; Kaderabek, Akpoguma, Nsoki, Jurasek; Stach, Becker, Hlozek, Bischof; Kramaric, Moerstedt

The visitors:

Spurs make three changes to the side who lost to 3-2 to Everton at the weekend with Rodrigo Bentancur back after suffering from concussion and Richarlison leading the line after an injury-dogged campaign.

The Brazilian makes only his second start of the season, much like Brandon Austin, who impressed in goal two weeks ago.

Tottenham: Austin; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Bergvall, Bentancur, Maddison; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son

04:59 PM GMT

Anyone fancy a game?

Welcome to our live coverage of Hoffenheim v Tottenham Hotspur where Ange Postecoglou’s side are hoping to escape from their domestic travails with a good account of themselves in the Europa League. 
Back home Spurs are having a rotten of time it with five defeats and a draw from their last six matches. And even in this competition they have not recorded a win for three months.
Nonetheless, the north London side are only one place off the top eight with two matches remaining of the league phase, and a win against a struggling Bundesliga side, who are down in 27th place will be manna from heaven.
Spurs though are enduring an epic injury crisis that was exacerbated earlier this week with the news that Dominic Solanke will be out for a number of weeks with a knee injury the extent to which has yet to be ascertained.
It’s a huge shame for Spurs as Solanke has been one of the club’s better performers in recent weeks, along with Brennan Johnson - who, yes you’ve guessed it, has also picked up an injury. Postecoglou can’t even turn to Timo Werner, as he has a thigh problem.
Also in the ever more crowded treatment room are Guglielmo Vicario, Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Mickey Van der Ven, Destiny Udogie, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr and Wilson Odobert. That’s an XI for you right there.
Quite who Postecoglou can find from the back of the sofa for tonight’s match remains to be seen.