Evening all! It's matchday two in the
Champions League and after tonight's results the group stage will begin to take shape. Real Madrid, Juventus and Premier League champions Leicester City are all in action tonight, but right here we will be focusing on the meeting between
CSKA Moscow and
Tottenham Hotspur at the Arena CSKA.
Mauricio Pochettino and his men will clock up the air miles this week as they attempt to claim their first win of the campaign in Russia. Spurs marked their return to the elite competition with a disappointing result at White Hart Lane around a fortnight ago. The North London outfit welcomed Monaco to Wembley, and they were forced to accept a 2-1 defeat.
As for CSKA, they got their campaign off and running by coming from two goals down to seal a 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. The Russian outfit are not among the favourites to progress into the knockout rounds, but following their opening-match performance, Spurs will have to be wary of
Leonid Slutsky's side this evening.
Right, before we go any further, it's time to bring you the lineups. We'll begin with the visitors...
SPURS XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Wanyama, Dele; Lamela, Eriksen, Son; Janssen
Subs: Vorm, Walker, Wimmer, Carter-Vickers, Winks, Onomah, Nkoudou
CSKA XI: Akinfeev; Fernandes, V. Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Golovin, Wernbloom; Tosic, Eremenko, Milanov; Traore
Subs: Chepchugov, A. Berezutski, Nababkin, Strandberg, Natcho, Gordyushenko
Spurs travelled to Russia without Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Mousa Dembele, Danny Rose and Moussa Sissoko as all five are struggling with injuries. Pochettino has made just two changes to the team that played Middlesbrough at the weekend as full-back Kyle Walker drops to the bench and Kevin Tripper comes in to replace him. The other change is in midfield as Erik Lamela replaces Sissoko, who has not been risked after he suffered a head injury against Boro. Without Kane, Vincent Janssen has been selected to lead the line, with
Son Heung-min providing attacking support.
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The club has still refused to put a timescale on Kane's return from injury. The England international was stretchered off the pitch after scoring the only goal of Tottenham's win over Sunderland almost a fortnight ago. Early reports claimed that Kane was facing a two-month spell on the treatment table after damaging ligaments. However, Pochettino provided an update on Kane's injury earlier this week and suggested that the striker may not be out for as long as the club first feared.
The Argentine told reporters: "We got scan results short while ago. It was much better than we thought. We're happy with it but we can't give a time."
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While matters on the pitch will take centre stage this evening, some precautions for off the field were made in the buildup to this game. Police issued a warning to Tottenham's 250 travelling fans not to wear replica shirts upon their arrival in Russia. I'm sure you can remember the ugly scenes that somewhat marred the European Championships in the summer. England and Russia fans collided a handful of times during the tournament in France.
As a result of that violence, the Foreign Office and Tottenham themselves advised the supporters not to wear their club colours or unfurl banners until inside the stadium. The authorities are being extra cautious as this is the first time that English and Russian fans have met since the Euros. So far so good, though, as there has not been any reports of violence in Moscow.
So, Spurs fans, what are you making of your team's season so far? Domestically it's going swimmingly, wouldn't you say? Tottenham have had their best start to a season for 51 years given that they are unbeaten after six games in the Premier League following two draws and four victories. In that time they have scored 10 goals and conceded just three.
In the Champions League, though, they have not had the best start that they would have wanted. Spurs sealed their place in the group stage of the competition by finishing third in the Premier League last season. Their title charge fell away, but they managed to ensure a place in Europe's elite. Unfortunately for Pochettino and co, they have dropped behind their competitors already.
Tottenham hosted Monaco at Wembley in their opening group game and it turned out to be a frustrating evening. Pochettino's men conceded in the 15th minute when Bernardo Silva struck, and they found themselves 2-0 down just after the half-hour mark when Thomas Lemar got on the scoresheet. Toby Alderweireld tried to inspire a comeback when he pulled a goal back, but it was not to be as Monaco held on for three points.
The frustration for Spurs was that they dominated the ball with 64% possession and they created the most attempts on goal - 15 compared to Monaco's seven. Six of Tottenham's shots were on target, while only two (the goals) hit the spot for the French visitors.
STATS! Sorry Spurs fans, but it's not great reading for you. The North London outfit did not win any of their away group matches in their only other Champions League campaign in the 2010-11 season. In fact, they drew two and lost one.
What could be key tonight is Tottenham's preparation. It's a long flight from London to Russia and even though they managed to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the Premier League at the weekend, it was not the most comfortable end to the match. Son Heung-min scored twice for the North London outfit in the first half, and the team managed to hold off a Boro comeback following Ben Gibson's 65th-minute goal.
Ahead of tonight's game, Pochettino told reporters: "You need to put pressure on yourself, and it's important to believe that we belong in the Champions League.
"We need to win - it's as simple as that. It's not more pressure because we lost the first game. In football your mentality always has to be to win."
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Spurs' opponents tonight will head into the game with confidence following their last outing in the tournament. CSKA were staring at a defeat to Bayer Leverkusen after they went 2-0 down after 15 minutes, but Alan Dzagoev and Roman Eremenko scored before the end of the first half to put themselves back into the tie. Neither team could find a winner, but it was a well-earned point for the Russian side.
DID YOU KNOW? CSKA have not kept a clean sheet in their last eight Champions League games against English opposition. Also, this will be the first time that the Russian club and Tottenham go head to head in a competitive fixture. The last four visits to CSKA from English clubs have ended in two wins and two draws.
Ahead of the game, CSKA boss Slutsky told reporters: "Tottenham are strong at set pieces, yes, but the question is how we are going to defend against their overall attacking threat. It doesn't matter that Kane isn't playing because they have an amazing group of attacking players.
"Last season Spurs had an amazing team and tried to win the title. This season they are playing a little differently because many teams sit back against them. They are one of the best teams and therefore one of the best in the world."
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Both sets of players have made their way out onto the pitch. Expect some gloved men out there - it's pretty chilly! Kickoff is moments away!
KICKOFF! Tottenham get the game underway in Moscow! They could do with the three points following the defeat to Monaco. Let's find out if they can get the job done...
Spurs get an early free kick as Wernbloom brings down Alli. The visitors opt to take it quickly, but instead of swinging the ball into the box, it's played short. It's been a fast, attacking start from the North London outfit, though.
It's been all Tottenham so far, but CSKA get some joy down the left as the ball is played from the byline by Golovin. It's a high ball to the back post where Fernandes is placed. The defender tries to head the ball across goal instead of going for glory himself and Tottenham clear.
CSKA are finding their stride now as they're urged on by the crowd. The corner is whipped in from the flag, but it's comfortably headed away by Alderweireld.
BREAKING NEWS! Stepping away from the game for a moment as the FA has announced that Sam Allardyce has left his role as England manager following the recent media sting. Read more
here.
Close for Spurs! Trippier delivers a low cross into the box and it finds Janssen. The forward ends up sending the ball over the crossbar, though. However, even if he had been on target, the goal wouldn't have counted as the flag was raised.
BOOKING! It's an early yellow card for Spurs as Wanyama is penalised for lunging in on his opponent. He'll have to be careful from now on!
Son picks out Eriksen with a decent ball, but the midfielder gets swarmed by CSKA players while 12 yards from the goal. The move breaks down.
Alli backless the ball to Janssen down the left-hand side of the final third. The forward tries to chase it down, but he's ruled offside.
Oh dear. Sloppy from Alli as he loses the ball in his own half. Traore latches onto it and he charges into the box. Alderweireld matches him well, though, and the Spurs defender ends up muscling him out of the way and the ball trickles out for a throw-in.
Spurs are putting CSKA under pressure, but they're yet to test the keeper. Davies breaks away from his marker down the left and delivers a cross towards Janssen, but Akinfeev collects.
CHANCE! Milanov goes down searching for a free kick, but the referee's having none of it. Alli leads a counter-attack and ends up playing the ball out to Eriksen on the right. The Dane goes for goal, but he thumps it wide.
What a waste! Spurs patiently knock the ball around (to be fair, CSKA seem happy to step back). Lamela knocks the ball to Eriksen, who tries an ambitious long-range effort, but it goes nowhere near the net.
Janssen and Eriksen exchange passes before sending the ball over the top to Son, but he fails to control it and the ball trickles to Akinfeev.
Not the most convincing clearance from Lloris! CSKA win a free kick midway inside Spurs' half. Tosic takes the set piece, sending the ball into the box. Lloris comes off his line to punch clear, but he completely misses the ball and needs his teammates to save his blushes.
CHANCE! A great opportunity for Spurs as Eriksen finds Alli with a 40-yard pass, but the midfielder fails to control the ball from 10 yards out and it ends up bouncing away and into the keeper's pass.
CHANCE! At the other end, Tosic tries to make the most of Vertonghen's poor headed clearance from a cross. The ball drops 15 yards out from goal, and the winger runs onto it in plenty of space, but he ends up curling the ball over the bar.
Eremenko cuts inside Tripper and sends a low drive towards the near post, but Lloris drops to his side to eventually make the stop.
OFF THE BAR! Alli goes for glory from 22 yards out. It's cleanly struck and Akinfeev is beaten, but the ball clatters off the crossbar.
Janssen scores! .... but it doesn't count. It was a great finish from the Dutchman as he chipped the ball over the keeper, but he was offside.
BOOKING! Eremenko receives the second yellow card of the game for a challenge on Alli in the middle of the park.
It's all Spurs in the last few minutes as they try to find a way through. Davies hits the ball on the volley and it's deflected behind for a corner, which is punched clear by the keeper.
CHANCE! Tripper crosses the ball into the danger area. It falls to Alderweireld, who's 12 yards from goal, but he ends up sending it straight into the hands of the keeper.
CHANCE! Spurs are ending the first half on the attack as Eriksen delivers a deep cross into the box. It reaches Alli at the far post, but he fails to direct his header towards the net and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
HALF-TIME: CSKA 0-0 SPURS
The half-time whistle blows and it's all square in Moscow. There have been a handful of chances at both ends, but neither have been able to find that clinical touch. Dele Alli came closest for Spurs when his thumping effort clattered off the crossbar. CSKA have had the roar of the crowd behind them and the players have troubled Tottenham's defence at times, but Spurs have dominated possession. It's still all to play for! We'll return for the second half shortly.
RESTART! CSKA get the game back underway in Moscow! Will there be a winner tonight? Let's find out.
CSKA SUB: The hosts make their first change of the game as Aleksei Berezutski replaces his twin brother Vasili.
Spurs haven't made a change in personnel, but Son has switched with Lamela and is now on the right flank.
Poor from Trippier as he goes for goal from 25 yards out when he had Janssen, Lamela and Alli all waiting at the back post. They're not best pleased with their teammate.
Spurs get an early corner in this half and it's Son who whips it in. Alli connects on the half-volley, but the ball is sent over the bar.
CHANCE! Son goes it alone as he gets in behind the defence, but CSKA do well to get across and block the attacker's shot. The ball rebounds back into Son's path, though, and he plays it back to Lamela on the edge of the box, but his effort gets blocked too.
CHANCE! At the other end, CSKA launch a counter-attack. Tosic receives the ball in the box from Traore, but his eight-yard shot is deflected over the top for a corner, which comes to nothing.
CHANCE! It's end to end here! Son is involved again as he aims for the far post with a bending shot, but it falls wide.
WIDE! A chance for Janssen goes begging as he shoots from 12 yards, but he doesn't connect cleanly with his first touch and the ball ends up darting wide.
PENALTY DENIED! Janssen shouts for a penalty after getting clipped in the box. Tripper's ball was hit straight at the Dutchman, who managed to turn and set himself up for a shot before getting fouled. The referee waves way his claims, though.
SPURS SUB: Pochettino makes his first substitution of the match. It's the end of Janssen's night as NKoudou makes his Champions League debut.
CHANCE! Nkoudou makes an instant impact as he wins a corner for the visitors. The set piece ends with Lamela shooting, but the ball just dropped inches wide of the near post.
GOAL! CSKA 0-1 SPURS (SON)
Tottenham break the deadlock! It's that man again - Son Heung-min! Lamela finds Son with a low pass and the attacker rolls the ball into the back of the net. Akinfeev contacted with the ball, but it just squeezed past him.
CHANCE! Son almost nabs a second as the ball drops to him in the 18-yard box. Schennikov does well to block the shot, though.
CSKA SUB: The hosts are trailing so Slutsky makes a change - Tosic makes way for Natcho.
CHANCE! Eremenko searches for an equaliser from 25 yards out. Lloris fluffs his save by spilling the ball, but manages to eventually scoop it up.
CHANCE! Oh dear! A wasted chance for CSKA. The ball is played over the top for Fernandes, who flashes the ball across goal with a cross-shot. Traore cannot get there in time to meet it.
Spurs are trying to run the clock down by just keeping hold of the ball. There will be a few nervy players on that pitch, though!
Two minutes of time added on! Can Spurs hold on?
FULL-TIME: CSKA 0-1 SPURS
A big away win for Tottenham as they see out the match against CSKA Moscow with a slender 1-0 scoreline. Son Heung-min was the hero as he scored his fifth goal of the season to ensure that Spurs came away from Russia with all three points. Spurs now sit second in Group E, one point behind Monaco, while CSKA sit at the bottom of the table, one point below Bayer Leverkusen.