Lloris hands it to Monaco

belated development into the young talent Spurs felt was worth £ 30million two years ago.

His simple tap- in after a soporifi c start to the encounter in the grand but near- empty confi nes of the Stade Louis II was not the most spectacular goal of his Tottenham career since his arrival from Roma.

But it took his personal contribution to three goals and two assists in fi ve games since Pochettino laid down the edict that it was time to start producing the goods. Nacer Chadli broke to create the initial chance and when Dele Alli’s shot fi nally ricocheted between goalkeeper and defender through to the Argentina winger, he was eight yards from goal with an empty net at his mercy.

Spurs were unable to build on his opener and Harry Kane was most to blame for failing to kill off the game. His free header from only eight yards out in the second half was nodded tamely downwards and into the arms of Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic.

El Shaarawy’s equaliser was a real blow for Spurs, but were it not for the late intervention of Danny Rose, it could have been even worse for the visitors.

In the end, though, the true measure of the success of Tottenham’s night will come on Sunday.

The real crime will be to drop Premier League points against Swansea having had their strongest team held to just a point here tonight.

MONACO ( 4- 2- 3- 1): Goal: SPURS ( 4- 2- 3- 1):

Goal:

Referee:

Booked: