A bit more time enjoying Hoffenheim’s hospitality and all of Tottenham’s problems probably would have faded away. After all Christian Ilzer’s clumsy side certainly seemed intent on doing everything in their power to ease Spurs back to good health here, defending so meekly that it would be wise not to conclude that Ange Postecoglou is out of the woods yet.
What to make of a topsy-turvy 3-2 victory over the team sitting fourth from bottom in the Bundesliga? The positive for an injury-hit Spurs is that they were stylish at first, cruising into a 2-0 lead with goals from the outstanding duo of James Maddison and Son Heung-min. They also saw off a fightback from Hoffenheim after half-time, Son securing the points, and were resilient enough to boost their chances of avoiding the hassle of a two-legged playoff for a place in the Europa League knockouts by surviving a nervy finale with five teenagers on at the end.
