Erik Lamela scored a hat-trick as Tottenham Hotspur clinched top spot in Group J by cruising to a 4-1 victory over Monaco at White Hart Lane.
Spurs effectively ended Monaco's hopes of reaching the knockout stage by racing into a 3-0 lead in the first half thanks to Lamela's impressive finishing.
Stephan El Shaarawy curled home to reduce the deficit early in the second half, but Spurs had the final say when Tom Carroll scored his first goal for the club.
Read below to find out how the action unfolded.
Good evening everyone! The Europa League stage comes to an end tonight, and questions still need to be answered. Tottenham Hotspur are already through but they need a draw to secure top spot, while AS Monaco have it all to do in North London.
Spurs currently sit top of Group J on 10 points and they need just a point at White Hart Lane tonight to stay there. Anderlecht are three points back in second, while Monaco are on six points. Qarabag visit Anderlecht tonight and Monaco need a favour from the Azerbaijani side.
How important is it for Spurs to finish top? Well, it means you will avoid the other group winners as well as the sides who finished third in their Champions League groups. Mauricio Pochettino's side look strong enough to make a strong challenge for the top four in the Premier League, but they certainly could do with help in this competition.
SPURS: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Davies; Carroll, Dier; Njie, Onomah, Lamela; Son
SUBS: Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Alli, Bentaleb, Chadli, Townsend, Kane
SUBS: Vorm, Carter-Vickers, Alli, Bentaleb, Chadli, Townsend, Kane
Pochettino uses the opportunity to rest a number of key players for tonight's game, with Christian Eriksen, Moussa Dembele and Jan Vertonghen missing from the squad. Harry Kane is on the bench. Joshua Onomah is handed his full debut, while Nabil Bentaleb and Nacer Chadli return from their respective injuries to be named as substitutes.
MONACO: Subasic; Dirar, Wallace, Toulalan, Elderson; Moutinho, Bakayoko, Pasalic; Silva, El Shaarawy; Traore
SUBS: Carvalho, Nardi, Lemar, Mbappe-Lottin, Diarra, Mexique, N'Doram
SUBS: Carvalho, Nardi, Lemar, Mbappe-Lottin, Diarra, Mexique, N'Doram
Lacina Traore leads the line for the visitors with support from Stephan El Shaarawy, while Joao Moutinho is among the starters in midfield. Ricardo Carvalho is forced to settle for a spot on the bench as Jeremy Toulalan continues to operate as a centre-back for Leonardo Jardim's side.
Here's a quick look at the lads warming up in the rain ahead of tonight's game. #COYS pic.twitter.com/ALtbeJIUQB
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 10, 2015
This is certainly an opportunity for a number of players on the fringe of the Spurs side to impress. Clinton N'Jie, in particular, has struggled to make an impact since his arrival in the summer. He has the pace to frighten defenders, but the home fans will be hoping for an end product from him tonight.
Spurs probably should already have top spot in the bag. In the reverse fixture in October, Erik Lamela opened the scoring for Pochettino's side but El Shaarawy secured a point for Monaco late on.
STAT: Spurs are unbeaten in their last seven European fixtures at White Hart Lane. Their last defeat came against Benfica in March 2014.
The two sides are out on the pitch at White Hart Lane. Just a few handshakes away from kickoff!
KICKOFF! Monaco get the game underway. The pressure is on the visitors to take the game to Spurs, who certainly have the pace to attack on the break.
The early signs suggest that Son will play just behind N'Jie, with Lamela and Onomah operating on the wings.
GOAL! SPURS 1-0 MONACO (LAMELA)
Superb from Spurs as they break the deadlock in just the second minute. Monaco have no answer for the pressing from the hosts as Davies wins the ball, before exchanging passes with N'Jie and delivering a low cross to Lamela, who keeps his composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Monaco are all over the place at the moment as Elderson miscues a headed clearance before sending the ball out of play. It's a long way back for the visitors from this position.
Spurs just look the sharper of the two teams. Monaco are struggling to keep the ball and they look troubled every time the hosts get the ball forward quickly. N'Jie is living on the shoulder of the last defender.
Spurs are enjoying a long spell of possession after Moutinho's attempted pass over the top sent the ball straight to Lloris. The visitors must keep the ball much better.
There's a stoppage in play as the referee sends Bakayoko to the sideline to take off a bracelet. Why on earth would you try to get away with that?
Good work from Onomah to get back and block a cross after attacking at the opposite end. Spurs have looked solid at the back so far. Alderweireld and Wimmer have been untroubled so far.
Carroll is at the heart of a lovely passing move from Spurs as he plays a couple of one-twos before Onomah tees up Son, who sends a shot over from 25 yards.
GOAL! SPURS 2-0 MONACO (LAMELA)
Monaco's hopes of progressing may already be over. It is a shocking error from Subasic as Lamela doubles his tally. The Argentine collects a flick on and quickly unleashes a low effort which Subasic should collect, but the ball sneaks under the Monaco goalkeeper to find the bottom corner.
Jardim has to do something about this defence. It may even be time to think about a change. Only a delayed pass prevents Son from beating the offside trap on the way to finding the back of the net. Spurs are denied this time, but a third already looks inevitable.
The rain is falling very heavily in North London as Monaco continue to struggle to put any kind of pressure on the Spurs defence. Onomah and Lamela are providing great outlets for the hosts out wide, while Son is finding plenty of space.
Spurs threaten to score a third after Onomah does well to win a corner. The cross is flicked to the back post where Son attempts the spectacular, but he can only find the side-netting with his volley.
Jardim breathes a sigh of relief on the touchline after Onomah's slip brings a promising counter-attack to an abrupt halt. Far too much space for the hosts in midfield.
CLOSE! Spurs win the ball in midfield and Onomah quickly leads the break. Son holds up play in the box before laying the ball back to Carroll, who curls just wide from the edge of the box.
CLOSE! Wallace should punish Spurs when he is gifted the space to connect with a free kick in the box. He miscues his attempt at controlling the ball, before Bakayoko sends a deflected effort just wide. Moutinho volleys wide moments later as Spurs survive a brief spell on the back foot.
Dier has been one of the stars of Tottenham's season and he shows why with a perfect tackle to win the ball for his side in midfield. He's so crucial to this side.
Onomah can only give away a free kick after tracking back once again, but Monaco fail to capitalise as Wallace heads wide from Moutinho's deliver.
Spurs dominating possession once again now. Onomah displays his pace with a burst into the box and his effort is pushed away by Subasic at the front post.
CLOSE! Traore should clear the corner at the front post and his failure to do so results in the ball striking Toulalan, who watches on nervously as it just misses the target.
Better from Monaco as they get the ball forward quickly. Bakayoko moves the ball across the box to find Pasalic, whose effort is deflected over by Wimmer's excellent block.
There's concern written on the face of Pochettino as the physio heads on to treat Dier, who was caught on the ankle while challenging Silva a few moments ago. It was a surprise to see him start when so many were rested, but I don't think any risks will be taken.
Nabil Bentaleb had just been preparing to come on, but Dier appears to have shaken off the knock and he is back on the pitch. Son gets the ball high up the pitch moments later and he ignores options on the wing to send an effort into the stands.
YELLOW CARD! A moment of frustration costs Wallace as he argues a decision with the referee before picking up a booking.
GOAL! SPURS 3-0 MONACO (LAMELA)
Hat-trick! It's a trademark goal from a Pochettino side. Their work off the ball has been fantastic since the first whistle and N'Jie is the player to win the ball high up the pitch this time. Son turns quickly to release Lamela, who keeps his composure to fire past a helpless Subasic. The ball is going home with the Argentine tonight.
Spurs forced to do some defending this time as the ball bounces around in the box, before Lamela eventually makes the tackle to put the ball behind. The hosts clear the corner. It looks like Dier will be coming off soon.
SUB! Spurs should score a fourth on the break. Son leads the break but chooses to pass to N'Jie on the right, rather than find Onomah or Lamela to his left. Pochettino then makes a change and Dier gets a standing ovation as he walks off. It doesn't look like that knock is too serious, but there is certainly no need to take the risk. Bentaleb is given a warm reception on his return from injury.
Bentaleb does well to win the ball before driving forward, but his decision to take an extra touch on the edge of the box stops the attack with Lamela waiting in space.
Onomah is confident enough to collect the ball in a central position and he almost breaks free of the defence after exchanging passes with Lamela. Subasic comes off his line to collect before the 19-year-old can get to the ball.
HALF TIME: SPURS 3-0 MONACO
Spurs might already be through, this game may not steal many headlines, but their performance has been brilliant in the opening 45 minutes. Lamela leads the way with a hat-trick. Pochettino will be delighted with how his side have pressed Monaco, who have been no match for the hosts.
A summary of the game so far in photos. 3-0. @Coco_Lamela 🔥🔥🔥 #COYS pic.twitter.com/Gf7pWFmYZX
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 10, 2015
It certainly doesn't look like it will be Monaco's night. They need something special to produce a comeback in this game, and even if they did get back in it, Anderlecht are currently beating Qarabag 2-1 in Belgium. As it stands, Anderlecht will finish behind Spurs in Group J.
More changes should be expected as this game progresses, but I would not be surprised if Dele Alli and Harry Kane are kept on the bench. Pochettino will certainly have one eye on Sunday's game against Newcastle United.
RESTART! Monaco make a change at the break as Thomas Lemar replaces Moutinho, who picked up a knock late in the first half. Spurs get the game back underway. How many could they score tonight?
Cheers from the home fans as Bentaleb leaves a couple of players with a clever flick over his head. He'll be determined to impress after seeing the likes of Dier, Alli and Dembele impress in his absence.
For what must be the fourth or fifth time tonight, N'Jie wins the ball to start a Spurs attack. He plays the ball out wide to Lamela, whose cross is blocked by Elderson.
YELLOW CARD! Bentaleb attempts a trick in a dangerous position, before unsuccessfully attempting to foul Lemar, who drags a shot wide of the target. The referee goes back to book Bentaleb before the goal kick can be taken.
No chances since the break, but Spurs are controlling the tempo with their passing in midfield. It looks like it could be a case of damage limitation for Monaco in the second half.
Monaco aren't posing any kind of threat. Traore is offering his side nothing. He needs to be moving more off the ball, but instead the midfielders have very little to aim for when they win the ball.
SUB! It's no surprise to see Traore come off as Jardim uses the opportunity to send on young forward Kylian Mbappe.
CHANCE! Onomah should be celebrating his first goal for Spurs. He's been excellent on his full debut, and after coming out of a strong challenge in the box, his low effort is stopped by Subasic as the ball comes off the goalkeeper's foot on the way out.
GOAL! MONACO 1-3 SPURS (EL SHAARAWY)
Monaco get one back with their first piece of quality in an attacking area tonight. Mbappe is key as he turns Trippier before coming back to find El Shaarawy, who produces a superb curling effort to send the ball beyond Lloris from the edge of the box.
SUB! Another player returns from injury as Chadli comes off the bench to replace Lamela, who gets a fantastic reception from the home fans.
Spurs suddenly look vulnerable. Mbappe looks to be offside when he collects the ball in the box, but the flag stays down and Trippier is forced to make the block. Dirar heads wide from the corner when it looked easier to hit the target.
SUB! Monaco make their final change as Bernardo Silva comes off to be replaced by Raphael Diarra, who makes his debut for the club.
Monaco are competing in a way they weren't in the first half as they make life difficult for the Spurs midfielders, but the hosts remain in control of this game. They've certainly lacked the attacking quality they showed in the first half.
Spurs seem to be more than happy just to keep the ball at the moment, and that has halted the momentum gained by Monaco after El Shaarawy's goal. Trippier does well to win a corner for his side with some persistent play on the wing.
Spurs keep the pressure on after a corner is cleared, but Carroll is left frustrated when he fails to send a through ball into the path of Son, who had made a clever run in the box.
SAVE! Onomah superb once again on the way to finding Son, who combines with Davies to set up N'Jie but Subasic makes a fine low save with his foot.
A Monaco corner is cleared as far as Lemar, whose powerful strike from the edge of the box is collected by Lloris. The referee is forced to dish out a couple of yellow cards just a few moments later as Toulalan blocks Onomah out wide, before Dirar goes to far with his complaints.
Pochettino will be largely happy with this display, but Spurs certainly have looked vulnerable at set-pieces. Monaco's 10th corner of the night reaches Elderson, who volleys wide after being given the space to connect with the ball at the back post.
GOAL! SPURS 4-1 MONACO (CARROLL)
A mix of dreadful defending and brilliant footwork delivers a fourth goal for Spurs. Subasic initially makes the save from N'Jie's low effort, but Monaco twice miss the chance to clear the danger. Carroll capitalises with a superb piece of skill to go past Elderson close to the byline, before sending the ball in from a tight angle. Brilliant way for the midfielder to score his first goal for the club.
SUB! N'Jie has worked very hard tonight and he gets a warm reception on the way to being replaced by Alli.
Spurs might fancy scoring one or two more before the final whistle and they are looking comfortable in the closing stages. Bentaleb delivers another trick and a smile in midfield to the delight of the home fans.
Tottenham give the ball away a couple of times, but Monaco do not have enough men forward to take advantage. It's been a night to forget for Jardim and his players.
Very little to report because Monaco, quite simply, have stopped playing. They're barely putting any pressure on the ball as Spurs knock the ball round easily before Onomah sends a 30-yard strike into the stand behind the goal.
Great football from Alli as he turns into space in midfield before playing the ball through to Son, who is beaten to it by Subasic in the box.
Just the two minutes added on. The Monaco players look ready to get on that flight home.
FULL TIME: SPURS 4-1 MONACO
It's all over in North London. Erik Lamela killed the game off with a hat-trick in the first half and Spurs never looked back as Tom Carroll completed the win with his first goal for the club. Pochettino's side progress as group winners ahead of Anderlecht.
Our live text coverage comes to an end now, but make sure you keep an eye out for reaction from tonight's Europa League games. Goodnight everyone.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
