Hugo Lloris wonder-save earns resilient Spurs a point
French goalkeeper thwarts Bayer Leverkusen as Tottenham show their mettle in Champions League
Bayer Leverkusen 0 Spurs 0
Tottenham Hotspur held on for a goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last night, with an exceptional save from goalkeeper Hugo Lloris preventing the German side from claiming all three points at the Bay Arena.
The French keeper produced the moment of the match when he clawed a point-blank shot from Javier Hernandez off the line, leaving the former Manchester United striker stunned.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His incredulity was unsurprising, says The Guardian, as it was a save "that needed several replays simply to understand".
Lloris "showed incredible agility to get down and then strength to clamp the ball with his right hand on to the line. Video technology showed that the whole of the ball had not crossed over," adds the paper.
The point could prove invaluable to Spurs in a congested Group E. They're second with four points behind leaders Monaco, on five, with Leverkusen third and bottom club CSKA Moscow on two.
Tottenham went into the match without Harry Kane or Toby Alderweireld and the draw was "a victory for their squad depth and versatility", says Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror. Eric Dier deputised in defence and Vincent Janssen was the main striker.
Indeed, the Lilywhites had chances to take the lead in the first half, but Jansson had a goal ruled out for offside and then hit the bar before Bernd Leno made a fine save to deny Erik Lamela.
Things changed after half time. "Tottenham displayed an admirable grit to fight through a second-half onslaught from Roger Schmidt’s side and keep a clean sheet," says Lewis.
However, the point may have come at a cost after Danny Rose was spotted wearing a protective boot after the game, reports the London Evening Standard.
"Concerns over Rose will come as a blow to the north Londoners, who have already had to make do without the England international's services for a significant chunk of the campaign due to a hamstring problem," adds the paper.
"The 26-year-old only returned to fitness earlier this month... and another spell on the sidelines during a flurry of difficult fixtures would be far from ideal."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Ukraine-Russia: are both sides readying for nuclear war?
Today's Big Question Putin changes doctrine to lower threshold for atomic weapons after Ukraine strikes with Western missiles
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hugh Corcoran and The Yellow Bittern: is the customer really always right?
Talking Point A new London restaurant has caused controversy by complaining about customer eating habits
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
When is an offensive social media post a crime?
The Explainer UK legal system walks a 'difficult tightrope' between defending free speech and prosecuting hate speech
By The Week UK Published
-
Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation
The Week Recommends A look at what the football media has to say ahead of the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich: Alphonso Davies expects a ‘goalfest’
The Week Recommends Key talking points ahead of the Champions League final
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City’s ‘World Cup’: Pep Guardiola’s team bid for Champions League glory
The Week Recommends Sky Blues prepare for a potential three knockout games in eight days in Portugal
By Mike Starling Published
-
On the prowl for No.16: Tiger Woods is geared up for PGA Championship challenge
The Week Recommends First major of the year will be held behind closed doors at TPC Harding Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
Alan Shearer: ‘Harry Kane has to leave if Spurs don’t win a trophy in the next 12 months’
Speed Read Real Madrid plan cash-plus-player deal for Arsenal captain Aubameyang
By The Week Staff Published
-
Juventus prepare mega deals for Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo
Speed Read Turin giants are keen to sign the England skipper and also offer their Portuguese star striker a contract extension
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Players: a big opportunity awaits defending champion Rory McIlroy
The Week Recommends World No.1 golfer aims to become the first back-to-back winner of the PGA Tour’s flagship event
By The Week Staff Published
-
F1 Australian GP finally cancelled after McLaren withdraw
The Week Recommends McLaren team member tests positive for coronavirus
By The Week Staff Last updated