UEFA Champions Youth League, Group E,Game 5,
        Stade De La Turbie, La Turbie, France.
           Tuesday 22nd November 2016, 3pm

             AS MONACO 2(0) – 1(0) SPURS
              (White/Red)    (White/Blue)
                 4-4-2          4-1-4-1

Monaco:– Mifsud; N'Gakoutou-Yapene, Silva(Mihoubi 46), Mbae, Quedraogo; Muyumba(C), Enjoiras, Diallo, Cardona; Bongiovanni (Alioui(69), Sylla

Unused Subs.:- Henin; Mallet, Delpierre, Rotsen, Mbock

Scorers:– o.g. Walkes 61, Sylla 64

Booked:– Quedraogo 8(Foul), Cardona 31(Foul), Bongiovanni 59(Foul)

Sent Off:– Quedraogo 48(2nd Yellow)

Coach:– F. Barilaro

Spurs:– Whiteman; Eyoma, Tanganga, Walkes(C), Walker-Peters; Marsh(Roles 83); Oakley-Boothe(Shashoua 19), Harrison, Duncan, Bennetts; Sterling(Griffiths 69)

Unused Subs:- Freeman; Dinzeyi, Tracey, Stylianides

Scorer:– Sterling 53

Booked:– Marsh 21(Foul), Walkes 42(Foul)

Coach:– J. McDermott

Referee:– P. Orel(Cze)
Assintants:– P. Boazej & Z. Arnost(Cze)
Fourth Official:– F. Batta(Fra)

Spurs' U-19 team travelled to Monaco knowing that they needed a win to give themselves a slim chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the competition, having lost the opening three games before beating Bayer Leverkusen 2-1 at Hotspur Way in the last match. Spurs had lost their opening match against Monaco 3-2 at home with Cardona getting a hat-trick.

The Monaco training ground is perched on a mountain overlooking the Mediterranean, and is not actualy within the borders of The Principality. The area has been cut out of the side of the mountain and is little more than the width of a pitch so the only seating was at the south end behind the goal. It is not the best place to report on a match. The earlier rain held off for the game and the chair they provided had been covered to keep it dry.

Spurs lined up with Whiteman in goal having been a late change due to Austin taking a knock in the warm-up. Whiteman was behind Tanganga and Walkes with Eyoma at right back pushing Walker-Peters to left back. Marsh anchored the midfield with Harrison and Duncan ahead of him. Oakley-Boothe was on the right and Bennetts on the left in support of Sterling up front.

Spurs kicked off attacking the North end but were soon under pressure from the home side with Whiteman saving from Enjoiras. A strong header by Sylla was headed out for a corner by Tanganga. Spurs countered with Sterling looking as if he had beaten the defence but he was caught just outside the area by Quedraogo. The Monaco players protested to the referee which suggested the he was the last man but our position at the other end made it unsure. The ref settled for showing the yellow card to the defender. Duncan took the free kick and curled it round the left of the wall with Mifsud pushing the ball onto the post.

Monaco kept the pressure on with Bongiovanni firing over for a corner. Muyumba drew a save from Whiteman and Cardona fired over having been played in by Silva. Oakley-Boothe then had to go off having suffered a knock to his knee from Silva in the build-up and was replaced by Shashoua. Marsh was booked for blocking a run through the middle and Enjioras had another effort fly over.

Eyoma played in Sterling for a chance that was hit over the bar. Cardona was booked for pulling back Shashoua as the little wideman began to get into the game. Walkes was booked for a foul before Shashoua drew a save from Mifsud at his near post when played in by Sterling. A minute later, Duncan played him in on the right but the keeper again saved at his near post to keep the game goal-less at half time.

Monaco made a change for the second half as they continued to push forward. Cardona had an effort deflected just wide for a corner before Duncan led a break that was halted by Quedraogo. The defender was sent off for a second booking. There was a long delay as the referee waited until the player had left the playing area before re-starting the game. Walkes took the kick quickly as Sterling had made a run into the left channel catching the home defence flat-footed. The striker flicked the ball wide of Mifsud to put Spurs in front.

Whiteman saved from Mihoubi when a corner was half-cleared. Mifsud saved from Duncan with Bongiovanni being booked for a foul during the build-up. A cross-field ball found Sylla clear on the left and when he crossed Walkes beat Cardona to the ball but only did the job for the Monaco striker as the ball went into the net for the equaliser.

With their tails up Monaco went for a second which came five minutes later. Spurs themselves had been pushing forward for a goal, and a Monaco clearance found Sylla clear on the left. He advanced down the left and curled the ball in from some 25 yards with power. Harrison found Marsh in an advanced position but the midfielder drove the ball wide.

Spurs made their second change with Griffiths replacing Sterling up front while Monaco just wanted to see out the game. Griffiths was soon in action when Harrison played him in for a chance that was saved. Cardona drew a save from Whiteman on the break and Sylla crossed for Enjioras to have his header was replaced by Roles in a last ditch effort to get something from the game. Roles provided a cross from a short corner that was headed over by Tanganga for another corner as Monaco held out for the win.

Spurs remain bottom of the group with the last game at home to CSKA Moscow who have won the group. The Russian side beat Leverkusen 2-1 earlier in the day to maintain a three point lead over Monaco. Spurs narrowly lost to the Russians 3-2 in Moscow thanks to a last kick winner in added time.

Ray

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