A late Yevhen Konoplyanka penalty has condemned Tottenham Hotspur to a first-leg defeat in their Europa League last-32 match against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.
Tottenham enjoyed the majority of the possession during the early stages of the half, but had to wait until 13 minutes before carving out their first meaningful chance on goal. Nacer Chadli fired a low ball across goal, which Roberto Soldado headed at the goalkeeper.
Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel was called into action soon after, when he had to race out of his penalty area to clear a long ball.
Dnipro had a chance to open the scoring after 26 minutes when Matheus was played through on goal, but the striker took too long to shoot which allowed Friedel to make a save. The Spurs stopper then denied Matheus again two minutes later when he hit a powerful shot on the turn.
Spurs came back at their opponents and won a free kick just outside the penalty area when Paulinho was brought down by Ivan Strinic, but Andros Townsend's effort flew just wide of the post.
The visitors almost broke the deadlock three minutes before the break when Dnipro goalkeeper Denis Boyko was challenged by Soldado, but the stopper raced back to collect the ball and prevent the Spurs striker from scoring.
Townsend volleyed at goal and forced a save from the keeper, although Spurs should have opened the scoring with just under an hour played.
Paulinho showed great strength to hold off his man and play a powerful low ball across goal. Soldado had peeled off to the back post but, with the goal gaping, he hit his effort over.
What followed after that was a frantic period of play, which saw Christian Eriksen have a goal disallowed for offside and Soldado go close with a volley that was blocked.
However, Dnipro were a threat. Roman Zozulya pounced on a defensive mistake and found Victor Giuliano, who beat Michael Dawson, but was stopped by an alert Friedel.
With the match heading for a draw, Matheus and Zozulya linked up, before the former beat Danny Rose and Jan Vertonghen. Vertonghen kicked out and the referee awarded a penalty, which Konoplyanka converted off the inside of the post.
It could have been worse for Spurs, but Zozulya's late header hit the post to leave the scoreline 1-0.
Gary Peters
