Comeback sees Spurs qualify for round of 32

Tottenham Hotspur engineered a dramatic comeback in their UEFA Europa League match against Spartak Moscow on Thursday night, fighting back from 2 goals down to draw the match and finish the group stages of the UEFA Europa League placed 2nd in Group D.

Tottenham were left staring UEFA Europa League elimination in the face at the end of the first half after a Gilberto blunder opened the door for Artem Dzjuba to score Spartak’s first, before the striker scored his second 10 minutes later.

Totteham coach Harry Redknapp pulled Gilberto off at half-time, sparking a fierce fightback in the second half that saw Luka Modric and Tom Huddlestone score for the Spurs. The result was good enough to secure Tottenham qualification for the knockout rounds of the UEFA Europa League.

“I won’t be sitting around in the social club with a pint of beer saying we want a big draw,” Redknapp said after the match. “We’ll be training and I’ll find out. Doing well in the Premier League is the only thing I think about, and obviously the Carling Cup is important as well now. Getting league points over Christmas is going to be massive for us, getting up that league table.”

Redknapp also indicated that Gilberto’s time at the club may be at an end after his bumbling performance.

“I don’t think there is a way back for him here. I think the boy doesn’t want to play here, that is the problem now. He’s a nice guy but I don’t think he feels confident playing here.”