Champions League: Ajax Earn narrow win over Dissappointing Tottenham

Ajax’s miraculous Champions League season took another step at the new stadium on Tottenham High Road, with a victory that showcased the daring of their attacking play and then later the ­resolve of this fine young team of all the talents. 

Ajax player against Tottenham 

They have a one-away-goal lead to defend on Wednesday in the semi-final second leg, and while this is a Spurs team who missed so many of its vital parts, it was impossible not to admire what this Dutch side can do.

The goal came quickly, in the 15th minute, and it was an indicator of just how outplayed Spurs had been in that particular move that Van de Beek had time to look up, sit Hugo Lloris down with one feint to shoot and then look up once more to pick his spot past the goalkeeper’s right hand. 

The first-half goal from Donny van de Beek defined the passing and speed of thought of this team, and after that they took whatever Spurs could throw at them. Having beaten Real Madrid and then ­Juventus, this time they were up against a club of much more modest means and yet there is still no comparison when it comes to Spurs and their visitors. 

Ajax played three rounds of qualifying, beginning 10 days after the World Cup final and yet look like they could play three more round after this.

For Mauricio Pochettino, the Spurs manager, the dread of a season with no returns goes on and he may well go to Amsterdam next week without Jan Vertonghen, who staggered off five minutes before the break with a head injury that seemed serious enough to render him immobile.