Tottenham Hotspur have failed to progress into the last 16 of the Europa League after drawing 2-2 with Gent.
The Premier League outfit cancelled out Gent's narrow lead from the first leg thanks to a Christian Eriksen strike, but they were left up against it as Harry Kane netted an own goal and Dele Alli was sent off.
Victor Wanyama got Spurs back into the tie in the second half but eight minutes from time, Jeremy Perbet backed up his goal in the first leg with the goal which ultimately ended the hopes of Mauricio Pochettino's team.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at Wembley Stadium.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the second leg of the Europa League last-32 tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Gent.
Despite being drawn away in the first leg, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino would have envisaged beginning the second leg at Wembley Stadium in command of the tie, but things did not go according to plan in Belgium. Despite naming a strong starting lineup, Pochettino watched on as his side struggled against a team who were in eighth place in Belgium's top flight and they now have it all to do if they want to prolong their interest in this competition.
Gent may only lead thanks to Jeremy Perbet's second-half goal but the 1-0 advantage leaves the underdogs in this tie requiring just one goal this evening to force Spurs to score at least three. It's fine margins either way you look at it but Gent are probably in the driving set as it stands.
Anyway, without further ado, let's crack on with the team news coming from Wembley Stadium. Once again, Pochettino has named a well-stocked team...
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Wanyama, Dembele, Eriksen, Dele; Kane
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Wimmer, Trippier, Winks, Sissoko, Son, Janssen
Seven days ago, Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko were the surprise starters but tonight, they find themselves on the substitutes' bench. Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen are the two players who feature from the start. From the weekend, Michel Vorm, Kieran Trippier and Son Heung-Min all drop down to the replacements.
GENT XI: Kalinic; Gershon, Mitrovic, Gigot; Saief, Esiti, Foket, Milicevic; Dejaegere, K.Coulibaly; Simon
GENT SUBSTITUTES: Rabiu, Rinne, Matton, Kalu, Perbet, De Smet, Verstraete
Last week, Gent made a number of alterations as they appeared to favour their league fixture but Hein Vanhaezebrouck has decided to recall two of his first-teamers for this match. He's even opted to drop last week's goalscorer Perbet! Kalifa Coulibaly and Rami Gershon both come into the team. They appear to be set up to match Spurs' 3-4-3 formation so it will be interesting to see how each team copes with the other.
Spurs are looking to join fellow English side Manchester United in the last 16. Jose Mourinho's men wrapped up a 4-0 aggregate victory over Saint-Etienne on Wednesday. Click here to read our on-the-whistle report from that fixture.
I've spoken about Spurs' need to score goals this evening but it may prove harder than they anticipate. Gent have conceded just three goals in their last seven matches, a run which has included four clean sheets. It follows the signing of goalkeeper Lovre Kalinic during the January transfer window but all of their defence are doing their bit.
While Spurs struggled last week, much of that could be put down to the absence of Eriksen. Spurs are far from a one-man team but it is the Dane who creates the majority of their opportunities and with Moussa Sissoko failing to justify his £30m price-tag, it leaves a big hole in the team. I really expect Spurs to crank it up a notch this evening but whether that will be enough to get the job done, only time will tell.
One player who missed Eriksen last week was Harry Kane. The forward did strike the post in Belgium but he was starved of service and was ineffective for large periods of the match. He showed his full worth when netting a hat-trick against Fulham in the FA Cup on Sunday, which coincided with the return of Eriksen. It's a big night for Spurs and you feel as though Kane will need to deliver.
BREAKING NEWS! If reports are to be believed, Claudio Ranieri has been sacked as manager of Leicester City! The club are yet to confirm the development but the news is coming from multiple sources. It's a staggering decision especially with Leicester still in their Champions League tie with Sevilla after their 2-1 defeat last night. Click here to read more.
PREDICTION! Despite Spurs naming an adventurous team, we don't think there will be many goals in this match. Spurs are going to dominate possession but while we think they will win 2-1, we predict that Gent will progress on away goals. Bold, we know!
Here comes the two teams. Wembley is full to capacity and the 90,000 crowd will be setting a new record for the Europa League. There's a big-game feel to this one. Can Spurs rise to the occasion?
Spurs get us underway.
Spurs have started at a brisk pace - much brisker than last week anyway - but no chances as of yet. Gent are showing some early ambition too. I guess they don't want to spent a night at Wembley on the back post. There looks to be lots of open space to play football in.
SHOT! Half an opportunity for Alli on the edge of the area but he is pressured into dragging his volley well wide of the target.
Spurs are in the ascendancy now and Walker and Davies are already spending plenty of time in forward areas. It's Walker's turn on this occasion but his low cross is straight into Kalinic's hands.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Gent (Eriksen)
Spurs open the scoring and it's Eriksen who has got it. I told you they missed him last week...
A long ball down the flank is poorly defended by Gent and Eriksen is able to run towards goal from an acute goal. He bides his time before sliding the ball inside the near post, much to the delighted of Wembley.
CHANCE! Gent are so open at the back. Alli is found on the edge of the area but despite having time and space to control the ball, he takes the shot on first time and hooks it past the post.
SHOT! Spurs are focusing all of their attacking efforts down the right flank and who can blame them? There's acres of space for Walker and Eriksen to do what they want to. On this occasion, though, Walker fired well over.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Gent (Kane own goal)
Well this wasn't in the script. A corner is floated towards the back post and after Mitrovic heads the ball back across goal, Kane glances the header into his own net. Now we have a game on our hands! Spurs need at least more goals to stay in this tie.
Shortly after the goal, Eriksen sliced a shot well wide of the target but Spurs get another chance with a 35-yard free kick. Alderweireld's driven effort is blocked, though. There's a feeling of frustration inside Wembley now. Spurs are worse off than when they started.
Gent have picked up a couple of bookings over the last few minutes. Dejaegere and Saief are the men to have picked up yellow cards. Might prove important in the second half when Spurs are throwing men forward.
There have been a couple of occasions where Spurs have been within inches of regaining their lead. Both Kane and Wanyama needed bigger sized boots! Spurs are pressing again, however. They just aren't creating the opportunities that they were in the opening stages.
CHANCE! This scenario is happening far too often for Gent's liking. Walker runs forward, takes two touches and moves the ball to his right foot before shooting on goal. Kalinic made a decent save here to deny him, with his strike looking destined to go inside the near post.
There's currently a break in play due to an injury to Dejaegere but use the time wisely by reading about the sacking of Claudio Ranieri. I'm still flabbergasted.
RED CARD! Spurs are down to 10 men and Alli can have no complaints. He doesn't time his challenge and his studs goes aggressively into the shin of Dejaegere. It's a shocker.
Spurs are down to 10 men and need to score at least two goals. Almost impossible, you'd think, but Chelsea managed it in Camp Nou a few years ago. Spurs are still pressing but they are going to have to leave spaces at the back to make up for the absence of Alli in attack.
There will be two minutes of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Gent
The half-time whistle goes at Wembley and Spurs effectively need the best second half of the season to remain in the Europa League. It was all going well when Eriksen netted the opener but an own goal from Kane and a sending off for Alli has left Gent in full control. Spurs need at need at least two goals in the second half.
Gent get us back underway. There's been no change from either side. It can't be long until we see Son Heung-Min.
As you would expect, Spurs aren't wasting any time in getting the ball forward but so far, they have been limited to a rushed effort from Eriksen. I know that they bring attacking qualities too but Spurs currently have five defenders on the pitch.
Eriksen thinks he is going to have a chance when being played through on goal but Kalinic is out to see off the danger. Kalinic is yet to concede more than one goal in a game for Gent. He's a very good goalkeeper.
SUBSTITUTION! Dejaegere deserves a lot of credit for trying to continue after being on the receiving end of that challenge from Alli but he finally has to come off. Louis Verstraete is the man to be introduced. There's a Spurs change coming up too...
CHANCE! Kane has to do better here. He doesn't even hit the target. Eriksen's through-ball is perfect but the club skipper can't take advantage. That miss could prove pivotal.
SUBSTITUTION! After that missed chance, Son Heung-Min was introduced for Davies.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Gent (Wanyama)
Now we have a game on our hands! Spurs press and probe and after Walker and Eriksen combine to tee up Wanyama from just inside the penalty area, he makes no mistake with a fine finish into the corner from 16 yards.
While Spurs still require another goal, they can't afford to be too gung-ho at this stage. They have used up a lot of energy in getting back into this match and they can't blow themselves out before the closing stages.
SHOT! Not for the first time in this game, Vertonghen tries to score from 35 yards. You don't need me to tell you where the ball has ended up on each occasion.
Spurs have ignored my advice to not throw the kitchen sink at Gent. They are bombing forward like it's the last two minutes of the game. Kane almost scores at the near post and a Gent player nearly scores an own goal.
SHOT! A minute later, Walker lashes the ball into the side-netting after once again being let in down the right.
CHANCE! What a chance for Gent. This should be tie over. Simon is found at the back post after a peach of a cross but he aims his free header into the side-netting. It's the same chance Sarabia took for Sevilla last night. It's a bad miss.
SUBSTITUTION! Gent have thrown on some fresh legs, but so have Spurs. Harry Winks is on for Dembele.
Dare I say it, but Spurs are finding it difficult to keep up the high tempo. They probably need to make a final change. Maybe give Janssen a chance to make himself a hero?
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Gent (Perbet)
Game over. Spurs are going out of the Europa League. Coulibaly breaks forward but despite his cross being blocked by Dier, the ball falls perfectly for Perbet - who scored the only goal in the first leg - to volley into the net from 10 yards.
CHANCE! Spurs should have been back in this tie. Kane slotted the ball through to Son and he has all the time in the world to get a shot on target. Instead, he fires high over the crossbar.
There will be three minutes of added-on time.
Kane beats a player before curling just wide. Sums up Spurs night.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Gent
The full-time whistle goes at Wembley Stadium and Spurs are out of the Europa League. It's desperately disappointing night for the Premier League outfit. They had their chances but Dele Alli's dismissal ultimately cost them. Expect him to receive a lengthy ban from UEFA.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again for the return of the Premier League at the weekend. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
