Just when it seemed defeat was looming, an own goal late in the game earned Tottenham a draw against Bodo/Glimt as Thomas Frank’s team came back from two goals down in Norway.
Though the scoreline would suggest this was a close Champions League tie, Glimt impressed and would have been deserved winners against a below-par Spurs had defender Jostein Gundersen, under pressure from Richarlison, not directed the ball over the line at his near post in the 89th minute.
Sloppy in possession and showing little creativity in attack, Tottenham were fortunate to go into the break on level terms. Only Kasper Hogh will know how he managed to miss his 35th-minute penalty so spectacularly. Rodrigo Bentancur had been penalised for a rash tackle on Fredrik Andre Bjorkan but the hosts, who had enjoyed over 60 per cent possession and had 11 shots to Spurs’ three in the first 45 minutes, were unable to take advantage.
It wasn’t long after the break that Glimt were celebrating after Jens Petter Hauge — who had gone close in the first half — curled a lovely shot into the far corner in the 53rd minute. Bentancur thought he had equalised moments later, only for it to be disallowed as Micky van de Ven was deemed to have fouled Odin Bjortuft in the build-up.
The visitors then lost possession in their own half and Glimt clinically took advantage with hometown hero Hague beating Guglielmo Vicario with a rasping effort in the 66th minute. Tottenham responded positively, halving the deficit through Van de Ven’s header two minutes later, and went close again only for Destiny Udogie’s header to hit the crossbar late on.
The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke and Jay Harris analyse the action.
Why were Tottenham so awful in the first half?
Tottenham allowed Glimt to completely dominate the ball. The first warning sign came in the fourth minute when Pedro Porro took a poor touch and was easily dispossessed by Bjorkan. Glimt’s full-back sidestepped a clumsy tackle from Lucas Bergvall, charged down the left wing and passed it to Patrick Berg, who fired a stinging shot straight at Vicario.
Frank’s side were ponderous in possession. Every time they worked the ball down the right through Bergvall and Brennan Johnson, they ended up passing backwards instead of whipping a cross into the box.
Spurs’ aimlessness was summed up by Glimt’s penalty. Vicario hit a pass long towards Johnson, who ducked out of an aerial challenge with Bjorkan. Glimt attacked down the left wing and Bjorkan charged towards the byline. Bentancur frantically raced across and wiped him out.
Glimt’s fans were buzzing with anticipation, but the pressure clearly overwhelmed Hogh. The striker blazed his spot kick so high over the crossbar it would have flown out of the stadium had it not bounced back off the protective netting.
The visitors did not learn their lesson and a few minutes later, Kevin Danso’s overconfidence led to another good opportunity for Glimt. The Austrian international tried to dribble past multiple players in his own half, lost the ball and left a huge pocket of space. Hauge collected the ball, cut inside on his right foot and fired a shot which just flew past the post.
Spurs lacked creativity, their ball retention was woeful and they were very lucky not to be losing at half-time — but things were about to get worse.
Jay Harris
Do Spurs need more options up front?
Tottenham are relying too much on Richarlison right now.
Dominic Solanke’s ankle injury, which has just been addressed by surgery, means he has not played for more than one month, while Randal Kolo Muani has only been able to make one brief substitute appearance since joining on loan a month ago. This puts too much of a burden on Richarlison, who has now started eight of Spurs’ 10 games this season.
This performance showed how much Richarlison needs some support. He missed a golden chance early on, failing to turn in Bergvall’s cross from close range. He continued to work hard and eventually forced the late equaliser, but Spurs could have done with some different options through the middle here against strong opponents.
Richarlison was brilliant here in May when Spurs sealed their place in the final of the Europa League. He was not at the same level today.
In an ideal world, Frank would be able to rotate between his three number 9s, keeping them all fresh, sharp and hungry. Instead, he is forced to keep playing Richarlison, even when his output is clearly below his best.
He may have to try something different at Leeds United on Saturday, like a turn back to Mathys Tel, who started up front against West Ham and Doncaster Rovers.
Jack Pitt-Brooke
How will this performance be viewed?
Spurs did not learn their lesson during the first half and Frank, surprisingly, refused to make any changes at the break. They were then punished in a chaotic 15-minute spell.
Bjortuft played an incisive pass which cut through Tottenham’s midfield and found Hakon Evjen in space in front of their defence. Evjen passed to Hauge, who tricked Porro far too easily with a simple drop of the shoulder before gliding into the box on his right foot and curling a shot past Vicario.
Spurs thought they had equalised within 60 seconds when Bentancur deflected Johnson’s shot into the net. However, it was ruled out following a VAR review because Van de Ven pulled the shirt of one of Glimt’s defenders from Porro’s initial delivery. Van de Ven was incensed and soon made a reckless tackle on Sondre Auklend, which resulted in a yellow card. The Netherlands international was captain on the night due to Cristian Romero’s absence but it was an erratic response lacking in composure.
Frank sent on Mohammed Kudus and Simons, but the situation did not improve. Simons lost the ball from a free kick and Glimt ripped Spurs open on the counter. Just when the move appeared to have slowed down, a poor pass from Van de Ven to Vicario allowed the home side to reclaim the ball. Hauge found himself one-on-one with Porro again, danced past him, moved the ball onto his left foot and drilled a shot into the bottom corner.
Spurs completely restricted Glimt when these teams faced each other in the Europa League semi-finals in May but it was the opposite story on this occasion. Van de Ven’s consolation barely changed anything in terms of the game. Up until the 89th minute, it looked like Glimt were more likely to score a third than Spurs find an unlikely and undeserved equaliser.
Somehow though, Tottenham pulled it off. Archie Gray strode into the box and his shot deflected off Gundersen into the net. It was such a bizarre goal that VAR took a few minutes to check any potential issues.
Spurs escaped with a point but that will not mask how badly they performed.
Jay Harris
What did Frank say?
The Tottenham head coach said his team showed “big character” to earn a point.
“I think that’s hugely important in any team that they have that and keep running, keep fighting, keep doing the right thing,” he told reporters after the match.
“I felt that we kept doing the right thing, we kept moving the ball, kept reducing the situation from the side and showed great character to come back into the game, which I’m very, very pleased with. But big praise to Bodo. I think until the 2-0 they were the best team. I think after that the game changed a bit and I think we got more on top.
“Of course, I hope we could have done a little bit more first half, got a little bit more into the high pressure in situations. And I would say, especially on the ball, I felt we could and should have kept the ball better in situations.”
What next for Spurs?
Saturday, October 4: Leeds (Away), Premier League, 12.30pm UK, 7.30am ET
(Top photo: Martin Ole Wold/Getty Images)