Tottenham Hotspur fell to a 1-0 defeat away at AZ Alkmaar in their Europa League last-16 first leg on Thursday evening.
Lucas Bergvall’s unfortunate own goal in the 18th minute proved the difference between Tottenham and AZ at the AFAS Stadion.
Although Spurs had plenty of time to turn the game around, they could only muster one shot on target for the entirety of the match.
And to make things worse, Dominic Solanke had to come off late on with a knock that left him visibly in pain.
Les Ferdinand spoke about Solanke’s knock at full time and touched upon the delivery Brennan Johnson sent his teammate’s way.
Les Ferdinand not impressed with Brennan Johnson’s delivery for Dominic Solanke
Ferdinand, speaking on TNT Sports, said he expected the forward to be clattered by the AZ goalkeeper after Johnson’s cross.
The Spurs cult hero described the £48million man’s type of delivery as “one of the worst crosses in the world for a centre-forward” to attack.
Ferdinand said: “When the cross came in I said to Owen (Hargreaves), ‘it’s one of the worst crosses in the world for a centre-forward’.
“You have to go for it, but you know you’re gonna get clattered by the goalkeeper and that’s exactly what happened.”
Solanke was back in the Tottenham squad for the trip to AZ, after having missed the last two months with a knee injury, and came off the bench
The England ace began the match on the bench and was brought on in the 72nd minute as Spurs looked to get back into the game.
However, Solanke fell to the ground after a collision with AZ keeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, and he was seen slapping the turf in pain or frustration.
The collision came as both players jumped from Johnson’s cross whipped into the home side’s box.
What Ange Postecoglou said about Dominic Solanke injury
Postecoglou suggested it’s too early to fully determine the extend of what happened to Solanke.
However, didn’t seem too worried about it, saying he and the Spurs medical staff think Solanke has suffered a knock and that he’s sore rather than injured.
The Tottenham manager told reporters: “We think it’s a knock, so hopefully nothing too bad. He’s a bit sore.”
Tottenham are next in action this Sunday when they host Bournemouth in a 2pm GMT kick-off in the Premier League.
Spurs then play the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie against AZ on Thursday 13 March (8pm kick-off) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
