John Ellis is known to many Spurs fans and we have over 450 mutual friends on Facebook. I am pleased to add this "third eye" feature article written by "El Gringo". This time John offers his thoughts on our 2-2 draw against Juventus.

John invariably comments after every Spurs game on his Facebook page, and I usually agree with everything he writes. That applies to John's detailed eye-witness report on this game, which is published below, with kind permission:-

Juventus 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Having topped a group containing Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, Spurs might have hoped for a kinder Champions League last 16 draw than to come up against the Italian title holders. Before tonight’s match this formidable Juventus side had conceded just one goal in their last 16 matches, won their last 11 games on the trot and had only been beaten once at home in the last two and a half years. And that was only because they missed a last minute penalty!

Playing against a side which had reached the Champions League Final in two of the last three seasons, this was another night to truly measure ourselves against one of Europe’s elite but this time at the critical business end of the tournament.

Once through the not inconsiderable formalities of gaining access to the stadium, Spurs fans entered a relatively small compact arena with steep stands holding an atmospheric and passionate fan base. The pre match rituals gave the feeling of the home players and fans being very much at home and at one with each other. The light show from under the stand roof was spectacular enough to suggest our own stadium architect might be receiving a last minute design change request from Daniel Levy in the morning!

And so to kick off and a first Juve attack led to a dreadful clearance from the normally reliable Jan Vertonghen which drew a free kick in a centre-field attacking position. There are occasions at matches when fans can almost sense what is about to happen... This was sadly one of those occasions. Appalling marking by the Spurs defence left the lethal Higuain completely free to finish sublimely over his shoulder into the left hand corner of the net.

As if the mountain wasn’t already big enough, the worst possible start imaginable had made it that much steeper... After such an early shock, it felt important for Spurs to settle and consolidate over the next 15 minutes or so or the tie could be well and truly over before it really even started. However worse was to follow when a cross into the box led to a mistimed tackle by Davies and a penalty was awarded. Higuain fired the spot kick towards the bottom left hand corner, Lloris went the right way but his outstretched arm could not keep it out. Only nine minutes played and incredibly 2-0...

Spurs looked to be all over the place. Memories of poor starts at Young Boys and Inter Milan away were coming back to haunt us. Almost out of the blue though, Spurs launched an attack of their own which led to Kane going down in the penalty area. He was incensed not to be awarded a penalty and remonstrated with the referee. Spurs were beginning to settle through the excellent Dembele forming a strong base in midfield. Dele’s penetrative runs were causing problems for the Juve defence and rather surprisingly Spurs were finding a lot of space in and around their opponents' box.

Despite being two goals down, Tottenham were now looking good and into their normal stride. There were no signs of panic but trusting in the patterns of play coached and drilled into them on the training ground. In the 26th minute, a cross into the box found Kane who seemed certain to halve the arrears but his point blank header brought a great save from the mighty legend Gianluigi Buffon.

On the half hour mark a tremendous last ditch tackle on Dele prevented a near certain Spurs goal but within seconds at the other end, Higuain was on the verge of a hat trick as he cut inside the box. Fortunately his shot went just wide of the post otherwise that would surely have been buona notte and arrivederci...

However it wasn’t and within a minute, Spurs were back on the attack themselves with Kane bringing a fine finger tip save from Buffon. This was breathless stuff! Spurs were taking the game to their illustrious opponents and if they were to succumb, they would go out all guns blazing. Remarkably although two down, Spurs were now much the better team.

Just as a I wrote this in the 35th minute, Dele played a superb ball to Kane who beat the Juve defensive lines and was through with just the keeper to beat. “Just” though comes in the mighty frame of the great Buffon. Harry swerves to his left, Buffon can’t get there! He is left stranded in no man’s land! It is though an oh not so easy open goal from the left hand angle of the box but without breaking stride, Kane finished with aplomb! Never in doubt! The Spurs fans went crazy. 2-1 and it's game on.

From the depths of despair, Spurs have scored a precious away goal. From potentially needing to win 3-0 at Wembley, if the game was to end right now, a 1-0 win would suffice. As my grandmother would have said, it’s a whole new kettle of fish! Come on you Spurs!

In the 40th minute Eriksen struck from long range and stung Buffon’s hands. It is all Spurs and now Eriksen crossed, Dele stretched but looped a header on to the top of the net. Juve couldn’t live with Spurs at this time and their renowned defence was unable to contain our power, pace and inventiveness or deal with our high press. It is a whole new brave world which Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff are taking us in to.

Right on half time Juve made a break down their left and with 2,200 Spurs fans screaming “don’t foul him, don’t foul him!”, Aurier just couldn’t help himself and recklessly gave away the most stupid of penalties and at the worst possible time. His ego gets the better of him time and again. It is bad enough making a mistake but he just can’t help himself and makes a situation much worse with a rush of blood to the head by diving in.

How can Spurs go in 3-1 down at half time in a game they have dominated? They can’t.... and they don’t!!!! Hugo Lloris shows off his fantastic reflexes by tipping a Higuain pile-driver fired left of centre on to the bar. The referee blew for half time. What a half!!!! It literally flew by in a whirl of excitement and entertaining football. Incredibly Higuain could have had four goals at one end and Kane a hat trick at the other!

Talk at half time centred on Aurier and within a minute of the restart he did exactly the same as at the end of the first half. Fortunately this time it was further up the pitch. Having lost the ball, he brought his man down from behind for a booking. Surely the perfect reason for Pochettino to take him off?

In the 57th minute Lloris dived full length to tip a goal bound effort round the post. From the corner Aurier lost his man and Mandzukic’s point blank header from literally just a few yards is straight at Lloris who makes yet another good save. The first 15 minutes of the second half probably belonged to Juve who had regained their composure and at this stage are looking the stronger of the two sides. Most of their attacks seem to be targeted down the Spurs right where Aurier and Sanchez were having a torrid time in dealing with the skill and pace of Costa.

In the 71st minute, Spurs attacked and Dele drew a foul from Chiellini on the edge of the box. It’s been a long long time. But for an excellent save by Cech, he nearly did it at the weekend, could this be the moment? Eriksen stepped up and SCORED!!! Buffon is wrong footed and Eriksen’s low drive finds the bottom left hand corner of the net! 2-2!!

It was bedlam in the away end. Spurs not only have one precious away goal but two! What a comeback! Such resilience and strength of character from this rapidly developing team. The Spurs fans urged their team forward for what would be the most remarkable of comeback victories.

Five minutes later, Juve attacked down their left and Aurier lost out again. Dembele though tracked the run and in beast mode won possession and safely played the ball back to Lloris. The Spurs fans sang his name loud and proud. Dembele is having a marvellous match.

Within a couples of minutes, Juve made another break this time down their right before cutting inside. The shot deflected off a defender and Lloris does well to re-adjust and almost already on the floor makes the save.

Dele was replaced by Son and was roundly applauded by the travelling fans. His runs and work rate didn’t give the Juve defence a moment’s peace all night.

With just three minutes left to play, Costa again threatens down the left and plays in a great cross. Vertonghen running back manages to get his boot to the ball. From our position in the away end, just for an instant it seemed the ball would fly into the net but thankfully Jan’s interception had put the ball out for a corner. Phew!

In the final minutes Lamela and Eriksen separately left the field to rapturous applause from the Spurs fans. Both had not only had tremendous games but also gave their all by putting in great shifts for the team. Moura came on to make his debut. He looked sharp and gave a glimpse of what we have to look forward to with his short but impressive cameo.

The referee blew the final whistle! What a performance by Spurs, brimming full of courage, character and skill. Having secured a 2-2 away draw, Spurs will go into the return at Wembley as favourites but this tie is a long way from over. Juve will come again and are likely to have injured players back such as the talented Dybala. Make no mistake though, this Spurs side is capable of not only winning this tie, but of only knocking out last season’s finalists and even becoming one of this season’s Champions League finalists.

Yes Spurs are becoming that good. They have come through four massive back to back matches unscathed and in so doing put themselves in a great position to finish the season in style.

Now we turn our attention towards Sunday and Rochdale away where a place in the quarter final of the FA Cup awaits the winners.

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