Tottenham 3-1 Bodo/Glimt: UEFA Europa League result as James Maddison and Dominic Solanke on target as Spurs claim first-leg victory in semi-final

Tottenham boosted their hopes of reaching the UEFA Europa League final with a merited 3-1 win over Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their semi-final in London.
Ange Postecoglou's side were given a dream start when Brennan Johnson headed them into a 1-0 lead on 37 seconds, the fastest goal of this year's tournament.

James Maddison added a second from Pedro Porro's pinpoint pass on 34 minutes before Dominic Solanke rolled home a penalty on 61 minutes after Fredrik Sjovold was deemed by VAR to be late on Cristian Romero.

Despite struggling to trouble the home goal, the Norwegian side grabbed a late lifeline when Ulrik Saltnes saw his finish deflect off Rodrigo Bentancur and fly into the home net on 83 minutes.

That was not the only concerning moment of the second period with Maddison and Solanke both forced off injured before Bodo/Glimt grabbed a goal they barely deserved.

With Manchester United winning 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao in the other first leg on Thursday, it looks like an all-English final could be on the cards at Bilbao's San Mames next month.

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Speaking to TNT Sports, Brennan Johnson said: "We are pleased. I think if before the game, someone said we'd have a two-goal cushion, we'd be happy with it.
"I thought the performance was good, they’re a tough team, there's a reason why they've beaten all these teams in the past.
"Disappointed to concede at the end, but we’re happy with the performance."
On his goal inside the opening minute, he said: "I didn't realise it was that early. They’re a team who will build in confidence if we give them time to play, so we knew we had to be onto them straight away.

"Getting an early goal really set the tempo, and I thought we started really well."

It finishes 3-1 on the night to Spurs, who are looking good to book a spot in the UEFA Europa League final next month. Has been a very positive evening despite shipping the late strike to the visitors.

Bodo/Glimt rallying somewhat in these closing moments as Vicario comes off his line to catch a high ball. Tottenham don't want to be shipping another goal late on.

But 3-1 would still be a decent night's work.

"That's a real, real blow; it's deflected, but it's all too easy," he said on TNT Sports. "They know the importance of that goal, you can tell.
"It's a well-worked goal down the left-hand side. It’s clever football, (Saltnes) gets his little half yard, it completely loops over the goalkeeper Vicario, who has no chance."

A big goal in the context of this tie before Spurs head to the plastic pitch next week. Much more momentum for Bodo before they host the London giants on their own pitch.

Huge deflection as Saltnes sees his finish take a huge deflection to fly high and beyond Vicario. Bentancur the player who the ball flies off and into the net. Back to 3-1.

Jens Petter Hauge penalised for a late challenge as Kulusevski sees his attempt blocked by a yellow shirt. A fourth goal would probably kill this tie stone dead. If it isn't already finished.

Dominic Solanke is given the call to head off with Wilson Odobert on for the home side. Jeppe Kjær replaces Ole Didrik Blomberg. and Sondre Sørli is on for Sondre Fet for Bodo/Glimt.

Romero with a late block off the ball which earns him a yellow card. Meanwhile, there is also an injury issue concerning Solanke, who looks like he might be departing the scene.

Athletic can't get hold of the ball and are yet to fashion a clear chance this half. United are controlling the game well, as you would expect against 10 men.

Porro doing brilliantly to track back to cut down space. If Spurs can carry this lead to Norway next week, you suspect they would be very content.

Ally McCoist on Dominic Solanke's penalty: "It does take nerve, you can see him, the stuttered run up, he has a little bit of a look at the goalkeeper. It’s just rolled with no pace at all.
"I’m not even sure it was the bottom right-hand corner, but it certainly goes to the goalkeeper’s right-hand side.
"He doesn’t take his eyes off him, that takes some doing. Fair play.
"Solanke has just broken every rule there. He did not take his eyes off the goalkeeper at all, waited till he dropped to his left, and very nonchalantly stuck it to his right.
"Credit where it’s due, well done."

Dejan Kulusevski is on for James Maddison with Sondre Auklend replacing Isak Maatta for the visitors.

Looks like James Maddison has run his race for the night. Not sure if it is a calf issue. But Spurs taking no chances.