Tottenham Hotspur produced a memorable comeback to progress into the last 16 of the Europa League this evening, beating Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3-1 at White Hart Lane.
The visitors took the lead on the night and made it 2-0 on aggregate right at the start of the second half when Roman Zozulya glanced his header past Hugo Lloris.
However, a Christian Eriksen free kick was swiftly followed by a red card for Dnipro, Zozulya turning from hero to villain with a headbutt on Jan Vertonghen.
Emmanuel Adebayor then scored twice in quick succession to cap off an action-packed 13-minute spell, handing Spurs the advantage they needed to progress into the next round.
You can read how a memorable night of European football unfolded with Sports Mole's live play-by-play coverage of the match below.
Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Europa League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. We have no time to waste, so let's get straight on with the teams!
TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Lloris; Naughton, Dawson, Vertonghen, Fryers; Dembele, Eriksen, Sandro, Townsend; Adebayor, Soldado
DNIPRO STARTING XI: Boyko; Mazuch, Strinic, Fedetskiy, Kankava; Giuliano, Konoplyanka; Cheberyachko, Rotan, Zozulya; Matheus
It is an attacking lineup from Spurs, who have a 1-0 deficit to overhaul in this second leg after Konoplyanka's penalty gave Dnipro the victory in last week's match.
KICKOFF: Dnipro get us underway at White Hart Lane as they look to protect their lead and gain a big scalp on their way through to the last 16 of the Europa League.
Bright start from Spurs as Fryers is released down the left flank, bursting forward with great pace. However, his low ball into the area towards Soldado is easily cut out and cleared.
This match has started at a good tempo, with both sides looking to get forward with pace. The first leg took a little while to really get going before a thoroughly entertaining second half, so it is good to see both teams starting well this time around.
Townsend pokes the ball through to Soldado after winning the ball on the right wing, but the Spaniard is stopped in his tracks by a good challenge from Mazuch. Soldado won't need reminding that he missed an absolute sitter in the first leg, so he will be keen to make up for that tonight.
Really good play from Matheus as he races forward from midfield, skipping past two wild lunges before seeing his attempted cross blocked, while Lloris keeps it from going behind for a corner.
Early sight of goal for the hosts as Adebayor wins a header inside the area to nod the ball down to Eriksen. The playmaker waits for the ball to drop before firing a half volley towards goal that is well blocked behind for a corner.
Spurs are looking to close down Konoplyanka early whenever he gets the ball, and if they can successfully do that for the full 90 minutes then they will go a long way to stopping Dnipro. He was instrumental in the first leg between these two sides and could cause Spurs problems again tonight.
A reminder that the winner of this tie will go on to face either PAOK or Benfica in the last 16. Benfica won the first leg 1-0 in Greece, so they would be favourites to make it through this evening.
It has been a fairly low key start to this match, particularly in terms of chances created. The best so far fell to Eriksen, whose effort from the edge of the box was deflected behind for a corner.
Dnipro have certainly shown themselves to be no pushovers over the tie so far. Having not been in competitive action for a number of months, they surprised a few with how fit they were in the first leg.
Eriksen almost dances his way into a really good position, but his run is just thwarted by a fine tackle from behind. It looked for a second like he had just got through there.
Great play from Konoplyanka as he skips past three challenges, showing good pace an skill in the process. However, Dembele does well to get across and ease the winger off the ball. Good defending from the midfielder, but that was really bright from Konoplyanka.
Spurs have seen plenty of the ball in the opening 22 minutes, but they are yet to really create anything dangerous. They were caught on the break a few times in the first leg and Dnipro have shown signs of catching them again so far.
Sherwood has been pacing the touchline from the first minute this evening, and I don't think he will take a seat until his side score a goal. The longer this one stays goalless, the more nervous he and his players will become.
Soldado is playing a very dangerous game there. In trying to protect the ball and see it out for a throw he appears to swing an elbow that catches the defender in the jaw. Unsurprisingly, the defender makes the most of the contact, but I have seen players dismissed for similar actions before.
Rotan brings down Vertonghen in a dangerous area, right on the edge of shooting range. Eriksen is eyeing this one up, and this could be a good chance to test the keeper here...
SAVE! Eriksen does go for goal and he gets his effort up and down well enough, but it lacks the power to really trouble the keeper, who gets down well to his right in good time to make the stop.
Matheus goes down under a challenge and makes a meal of limping off the field before Adebayor comes over to escort him behind the goal. The stretcher is coming around, but I would be surprised if it was needed. There didn't look to be too much in it.
Spurs come forward through Eriksen and Soldado, who exchange passes on their way to the edge of the area. Soldado tries to dummy the ball for Adebayor, but the defence step in to make the clearance. Things just aren't really working out for Soldado at the moment.
UPDATE: The goals haven't exactly been flying in in the late Europa League kickoffs so far. Only two matches have seen any action in that respect, with Alkmaar leading Liberec 1-0 and Juventus taking a 2-0 lead away to Trabzonspor.
Still not much to report in terms of chances for either side in this match as Tottenham continue to probe for a way through. A reminder that they need to win this match if they are to progress having lost the first leg 1-0 last week in the Ukraine.
Vertonghen is penalised for holding Zozulya, and it is a harsh one as the striker was actually grabbing him and made it look like he was being fouled. The pair square up before the referee steps in to cool things down, and Dnipro will now have a free kick in a decent position.
Terrible effort from Matheus as he slices the free kick a long way wide of the Tottenham goal. He is unhappy at the lay off he received and, to be fair, he had a point, but it was still a poor strike.
Eriksen plays a quick free kick to Sandro, who only has one thought in his mind when he receives the ball. Sure enough, he lines up a long-range strike but sends his effort comfortably over the crossbar.
Spurs now have a free kick in a decent position as Rotan brings down Sandro, who did well to get there just before the Dnipro skipper. Once again, this is right on the edge of shooting range and Spurs could opt to float this one into the area instead.
It is a strange delivery from Eriksen as he puts in a effort that is shaped like a shot but with the power of a cross. Whatever it was, it is comfortably cleared by the defence.
It just isn't happening for Spurs in the final third at the moment. They will need to improve on this performance in the second half if they are to avoid an exit in the round of 32 at the hands of Dnipro, who are of course managed by former Spurs boss Juande Ramos.
YELLOW CARD! Sandro goes into a challenge with a high boot, catching Rotan in the head despite also making contact with the ball. It was nothing malicious from the midfielder, but the referee still deems it worthy of a booking.
There will be one minute of added time at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
Well, that was not exactly the most inspiring of halves from Spurs. Sherwood named an attacking lineup, which suggested that he wanted his side to really get after this game, but they have failed to do that so far. They have not threatened in the final third and Boyko in the Dnipro goal has not had a troubling save to make. It has all been fairly easy for the Dnipro defence, who probably would have been expecting a more thorough examination tonight.
It is hard to pick out any particular highlights from that first half as nothing really happened for either side. The closest Spurs have come has been from a long-range Eriksen free kick that brought a comfortable stop from Boyko. Eriksen also had an earlier shooting opportunity, but his effort was well blocked by the defence.
As for Dnipro, they have not threatened Lloris's goal much, but they will be happy with how things have gone so far. A carbon copy of that first half in the next 45 minutes would suit them down to the ground as they are going through as things stand. Spurs are third favourites to win the whole competition behind Juventus and Napoli, so that would be some achievement for the visitors to knock them out.
Konoplyanka has again looked like their most dangerous player and, while he hasn't created anything of particular note, he has embarked on a few really good runs that have seen him escaped the attention of a number of Tottenham defenders. As Spurs begin to commit more men forward in the second half they will need to be careful that they don't leave too much space for him to counter.
Jermain Defoe is currently receiving a standing ovation at the break as he is off to Toronto after this game. They could do with him on the field right now, but injury has prevented him from making his Spurs bow this evening. He has been a great servant for the team, and the fans are showing their appreciation now.
This match is certainly not beyond Tottenham right now, and Sherwood will be stressing that point in the dressing room. They have 45 minutes to save their Europa League status, but they will need to play better after the break to do it.
KICKOFF: Spurs get us back underway for the second half, and what a big 45 minutes it could be for them. They need a goal to stay in the tournament. Can they find one, or will Dnipro hold out?
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Dnipro (Roman Zozulya)
Huge goal from the visitors as Zozulya is allowed to peel off his man inside the box to get on the end of a fantastic delivery from Rotan. The skipper whipped it in from a deep free kick and Zozulya just glanced his header past Hugo Lloris, who got a touch on it but couldn't keep it out.
Spurs now have a mountain to climb in this second half. It is a nightmare start to it from then and they now need to score three goals to progress. In truth, they haven't even looked like scoring one so far.
Three goals is not mission impossible for the hosts, but they are going to need to show a lot more urgency than they have done so far. If they can pull a goal back within the next 10 minutes then they will fancy their chances of producing an unlikely comeback.
CHANCE! Tottenham's best chance of the match so far falls to Dembele. Adebayor causes problems from a corner and the defence can only clear the ball as far as Dembele, who sends a first-time volley into the ground and bouncing over the keeper, only to land on the roof of the net.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Spurs think that they have a goal back, but the linesman's flag cuts their celebrations short. It was a clever little pass from Eriksen to send Soldado through and his finish was an assured one into the bottom corner, but he had just strayed into an offside position. Good decision from the official.
Adebayor does well to win his side a free kick right on the edge of the box. It is over to the left so the angle may be a little against the taker, but it is one that Eriksen will fancy going for goal from.
GOAL! Spurs 1-1 Dnipro (Christian Eriksen)
Huge goal for Spurs as they pull a goal back to level things up on the night. It is a superb strike from Eriksen as he curls the free kick over the wall and in at the near post. Boyko got a touch on the ball but couldn't keep it out as Spurs are handed a lifeline. They now just need two goals.
Sherwood is very angry at what he perceives to be time wasting by the visitors now. His rant at the fourth official prompts a talking to from the referee, but what he has done to drawn attention to any time wasting that may go on in the future.
YELLOW CARD! Vertonghen goes into the book for a foul on the right wing. More worryingly for Spurs, however, is that Dnipro have a free kick in a dangerous crossing position.
OFF THE POST! Dnipro come within inches of putting this game to bed! The free kick is not delivered into the area, but instead rolled across the edge of the box for Konoplyanka to hit. No Spurs players are alert to the situation and the winger curls a superb effort towards the corner, only to see it hit the foot of the post with Lloris beaten. Brilliant strike, and he is unfortunate not to have scored with it.
RED CARD! Roman Zozulya (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk)
Big moment in this match! Vertonghen goes down inside the box when waiting for a free kick and a melee ensues with players from both teams getting involved. The referee calms things down before producing a red card for Dnipro's goalscorer, and he is absolutely livid about it. He tries to get at Vertonghen, and it takes three Tottenham players to restrain him. The replay shows that he did give Vertonghen a little headbutt, which, if seen, is always going to result in a red card. Vertonghen did make a lot of it, but it was stupid from Zozulya.
GOAL! Tottenham 2-1 Dnipro (Emmanuel Adebayor)
Spurs have another! Eriksen shapes a lovely delivery into the area and Adebayor beats the offside trap and is left all alone in the middle to just turn it past the keeper from close range. Spurs are now just one goal away from making it through with a man extra. This game has really come to life in the second half.
Suddenly, it is Dnipro who have the tough task ahead of them. Those two goals have sparked the fans into life and now the visitors will look to keep Spurs out with just 10 men. A very interesting final 20 minutes or so is coming up, don't go anywhere.
GOAL! Tottenham 3-1 Dnipro (Emmanuel Adebayor)
Tottenham have done it, and it is Adebayor once again! A long ball is played up to the striker and from then on it is all about Adebayor. He takes it on his chest brilliantly before knocking it past Boyko on the half volley with the outside of his right boot. Superb finish and, for the first time tonight, Spurs have the advantage lead.
DNIPRO SUB: The visitors make a change as they look to get back in front in the tie, with Yevhen Seleznyov is introduced by Juande Ramos.
Well, what a 13-minute spell that was for Spurs. They looked to be all but out of the competition having gone 2-0 down on aggregate and not looked like scoring all evening, but three goals in the space of 13 minutes and a red card for Dnipro have turned this match on its head. Incredible stuff.
CHANCE! Of course, Spurs need to make sure they don't concede again now. They almost do here as Matheus makes good progress down the right, reaching the byline before cutting the ball back into a dangerous area. However, some last-gasp defending allows the hosts to clear the danger.
Lovely play from Eriksen as he flicks the ball back to Soldado, who looks for a moment like he is clean through on goal inside the box. However, Rotan makes a vital challenge to deny the striker.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Sandro receives a good reception as he comes off on his return to action from injury. He is replaced by Nabil Bentaleb in what will be a straight swap in the centre of midfield.
UPDATE: It is fair to say that the winners of this tie will be playing Benfica in the next round. They have taken a 3-0 lead on the night against 10-man PAOK and are now 4-0 ahead on aggregate.
Dnipro will certainly still feel like they have a chance of going through in this one as just one goal will be enough for them. However, they need to find the right balance between attacking and preventing holes from opening at the back. Another goal for Spurs would kill this tie off once and for all.
CHANCE! Townsend does really well to work space to cross on the right flank before whipping over a fine delivery into a very dangerous area. Soldado gets on the end of it but puts his effort over the bar. It wasn't the easiest of chances, but he will be disappointed to have missed it. A goal for him would really put the icing on the cake for Spurs.
SAVE! Dnipro come forward with a quick break as Strinic picks out Seleznyov inside the box, but the striker is forced too wide and his eventually shot from an impossible angle is saved by Lloris at the near post.
DNIPRO SUB: The hosts make another change as Denis Kulakov comes on for Fedetskiy.
TOTTENHAM SUB: The hosts responded with a change of their own as Andros Townsend makes way to be replaced by Aaron Lennon.
SAVE! If Dnipro are going to break Tottenham hearts then it is Konoplyanka who is going to be at the heart of it. He cuts inside here and fires a good effort towards the bottom corner from range, but Lloris gets down well to parry the ball to safety.
TOTTENHAM SUB: Spurs make their final change of the night as Roberto Soldado trudges off the field to a good reception. He is replaced by Harry Kane.
YELLOW CARD! Rotan becomes the latest player in the referee's notebook, and the Dnipro captain has no complaints with the decision.
The fourth official indicates a minimum of five minutes added time at the end of this match. Is there still time for another twist in this match? It is very much next goal wins right now.
Spurs are looking comfortable at the moment, but with the likes of Konoplyanka on the field Sherwood will not rest until the final whistle goes.
YELLOW CARD! Spurs give the ball away in a dangerous area and Dawson is forced to make a lunging tackle to stop a two-on-one situation. He gets a yellow card, but now Konoplyanka has a chance to hit this from a good position.
SAVE! It is a fine effort from Konoplyanka, who curls it over the wall and towards the bottom corner, but Lloris gets down well to make a good save, pushing the ball to safety.
YELLOW CARD! Kulakov gets a yellow card for a foul on Kane in a dangerous area, but this ball will not be going into the box. Spurs will play it short and look to see this match out.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
A superb second-half comeback from Spurs sees them move into the last 16 of the Europa League, where they will face Benfica. After an uninspiring first half it all happened after the break, with Dnipro taking the lead before three goals in 13 minutes saw Spurs claim a 3-2 win on aggregate. Dnipro also had a man sent off in that frantic 13-minute spell, which had a noticeable impact on the game.
Right, that is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an action-packed match in the end. Spurs move into the last 16 courtesy of a fine come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Dnipro, who blew a 2-0 aggregate lead and were reduced to 10 men. I will leave you with our match report and be sure to stick around for reaction which should be on site shortly. Until then, though, it is goodbye from me!
