Gent vs Tottenham - as it happened: Spurs shocked by Gent in Europa League defeat
Re-live all the action from the Ghelamco Arena
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Your support makes all the difference.After Tottenham's first Champions League campaign since 2011 came to an ignominious end in Monaco last November, Spurs now have the chance to redeem themselves.
It may not offer the same prestige or glory as Europe's top-flight competition, but the Europa League still offers Mauricio Pochettino's men the opportunity to broaden their exposure to and experience in continental football.
Indeed, Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris has urged his side to take tonight's fixture against Gent seriously. “In our mind it has to be like the Champions League,” he said. “It is still a good competition to win and we are all ambitious. We want to go as far as possible."
Both teams come into the game off the back of a defeat, with Spurs having lost 2-0 at Liverpool last Saturday, on the same day that Gent were beaten 1-0 at home by Eupen.
However, while Pochettino's side remain in Champions League contention in third place in the Premier League, Gent are down in eighth in the Belgian top flight.
Tottenham head into the tonight's last-32 first-leg as favourites but don't expect an easy ride.
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Thursday's Europa League last-32 fixtures:
United 20:05 Saint-Étienne
FK Krasnodar 16:00 Fenerbahçe
Olympiakos 18:00 Osmanlispor
AZ Alkmaar 18:00 Lyon
B Gladbach 18:00 Fiorentina
Celta Vigo 18:00 Shakt Donsk
FC Rostov 18:00 Sparta Prague
Ludo Razgd 18:00 FC Copenhagen
Astra Giurgiu 18:00 KRC Genk
Ath Bilbao 20:05 Apoel Nic
11 minutes: chance!
Dele Alli fires one narrowly wide from 25 yards after a lovely bit of build-up play from Harry Winks and Ben Davies. Gent boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck puffs his cheeks. That was close.
What is Tottenham's best chance of silverware this season?
16 minutes
Both teams have started with good intensity this evening. Spurs have had the best chance of the game but Gent are by no means looking like pushovers. They're knocking it around well and putting Spurs under lots of pressure when they lose the ball.
20 minutes: chance for Gent!
It looks like about four Gent players are offside but the linesman's flag stays down. Perbet controls with his chest and swings with his right foot... but he slices well wide of Lloris' goal.
22 minutes
It's not been a great start for Spurs here who are not keeping hold of the ball like they usually do. Anfield hangover for the visitors?
25 minutes: frustration for Spurs
First Dembele, then Alli, give the ball away sloppily. The England midfielder clenches his fists in frustration and that sort of sums Tottenham's night up so far.
Gent immediately break up the other end and win a corner thanks to Alderweireld's block.
The home fans really are in good voice now.
29 minutes: chance for Gent
Gent are getting a lot of joy down the Spurs left at the moment. Foket's cross is met on the edge of the area by Dejaegere but he can't keep his shot down.
30 minutes
Another fine piece of play from Harry Winks to put Sissoko through on the right, but his weak cross is cut out at the near post.
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