Half-Time Report: Tottenham 0-1 Ajax… Visitors draw the first blood

Van de Beek’s early goal gave Ajax the lead, and maintained the one-goal advantage over Tottenham until the break.

The visitors have been able to play more or less exactly how they like: enjoying plenty of possession, passing in triangles as they nudge the play ever higher up the pitch, and ripping through the Spurs back line with regularity. They played some excellent football in the final third, with quick one-two touch football leading to the opening goal as Van de Beek was played through on goal and just had Lloris to beat.

A fantastic performance so far. The almost doubled their lead shortly after, with Van de Beek once again trying to beat Lloris, but this time the Spurs keeper made a good save from close range. Tottenham improved towards the end of the half, with Alderweireld going close from a set piece.

Tottenham withstood the Ajax onslaught after the goal, before Vertonghen’s injury disrupted the game’s flow. His replacement, Sissoko, will come into his own as the second half progresses.

Photo Credit: ajax.nl