Europa League

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Europa League | Playoff Round

Aug 21, 2014 at 5pm UK

AEL Limassol
1-2
Spurs Tottenham Hotspur

Sardinero (14')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Soldado (74'), Kane (80')

Tottenham Hotspur come from behind to beat AEL Limassol in Europa League

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 21 August 2014

Tottenham Hotspur come from behind thanks to goals from Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane to beat AEL Limassol 2-1 in Cyprus in the first leg of their Europa League playoff.

Tottenham Hotspur managed to come from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory over AEL Limassol in the first leg of their Europa League playoff in Cyprus.

The North London outfit started brightly at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium, but the Cypriot outfit's impressive recent home record stood firm in the early stages of the first half.

Roberto Soldado Rillo from Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring a goal during the AEL Limassol FC v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Europa League Qualifying Play-Off match on August 21, 2014 © Getty Images

Mauricio Pochettino made seven changes to his team that started the Premier League season, with first-team stars Jan Vertonghen and Paulinho returning to the fold, but it was young forward Harry Kane who orchestrated the majority of attacks.

The 21-year-old gave Paulinho an early opportunity to find the opening goal, but the Brazilian failed to connect to the ball as AEL's compact defence did their job.

Despite Tottenham's domination in possession, the home side grabbed the first goal against the run of play in the 14th minute when Adrian Sardinero stormed through Tottenham's defence to slide the ball past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Players from AEL Limassol FC celebrate a goal during the AEL Limassol FC v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Europa League Qualifying Play-Off match on August 21, 2014 © Getty Images

After the break, neither side created much danger in the final third until a crucial save from the AEL goalkeeper was needed to deny Kane's header, which rattled off the crossbar.

Spurs ramped up the pressure and their work paid off in the 74th minute when Roberto Soldado, who latched on to a cross from Tottenham's record signing Erik Lamela, found the back of the net to draw level.

Marco Tagbajumi tried to respond for the home side by storming into the box to unleash a shot, but his effort flew wide of the post and left both sides searching for the winner.

Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur celebrates a goal as Karim Fegrouch from AEL Limassol FC looks on during the AEL Limassol FC v Tottenham Hotspur - UEFA Europa League Qualifying Play-Off match on August 21, 2014 © Getty Images

With 10 minutes plus stoppage time left to play, Kane was rewarded for his efforts with a goal after Lamela once again played a part by slipping the ball into the feet of the forward, who slotted the ball into the net.

Tottenham continued to dominate and after two assists, Lamela tried to get on the scoresheet by breaking into the box and shooting towards goal, but the 22-year-old's effort was saved.

Spurs will head back to White Hart Lane for the second leg with the advantage of two away goals.