Outclassed by the brilliance of Lionel Messi in midweek, Spurs were grateful for Cardiff's lack of firepower to ensure a lacklustre performance after Eric Dier's early opener went unpunished. By contrast to their domestic form, Dier was one of three changes from a second straight Champions League defeat that leaves Pochettino's men staring down the barrel of an early European exit. Spurs, though, failed to build on that positive start and gave a Cardiff side still looking for their first win back in the top flight plenty of encouragement. Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge produced a good save to parry Kane's header early in the second half before Lucas's follow-up effort was brilliantly cleared off the line by Morrison. The visitors' task was made even harder just before the hour mark when Ralls was shown a straight red card for a cynical lunge on Lucas.

Source: Daily Nation October 06, 2018 15:56 UTC