Tottenham 0-0 Hearts (Agg 5-0): Missed Kane penalty irrelevant as first leg triumph sees Spurs through with new signing Adebayor watching

As to be expected, Harry Redknapp fielded a vastly changed side from the one that was on the receiving end of the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at the weekend. 

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Aberdeen £23.00

Draw £32.00

Hearts £27.50

Bet: £5 £10 £20 £50 £100

Returns:

Aberdeen £22.00

Draw £32.50

Hearts £28.80

Given further chance to impress after breaking into the starting XI, Jake Livermore was joined by several other academy graduates in the form of Andros Townsend, Harry Kane, Thomas Carroll and Ryan Fredericks.

Not to be outdone, Hearts boss Paulo Sergio also make an abundance of changes to his team, drafting in eight new faces as both managers made it abundantly clear from their selection that tonight was an evening for experimentation.

It wasn’t until the ninth minute that a meaningful effort on goal was mustered up. When the ball fell fortuitously to Roman Pavlyuchenko on the edge of the box, the Russian hit the ball smartly on the half volley with his left foot to draw a save out of Jamie Macdonald at his near post.

Down the other end a flash of inspiration nearly sparked the game into life as Gordon Smith made a nuisance of himself in the host’s box before rifling a volley that had Carlo Cudicini despairing before cannoning off the underside of the bar.

Despite looking somewhat labored throughout, Spurs had the prime opportunity to put themselves in the lead around the half hour mark after Harry Kane rounded the keeper and was sent sprawling.

Though, after dusting himself off to take the spot kick, Kane was again thwarted by Macdonald – this time legally - who made a comfy save down to his right as the rest of the half filtered away with very little incident.

If the first half was bereft of ideas, then the second – or at least the vast majority of it – could be described as Neanderthal. Genuine quality on the ball came at a premium as the game became characterised by misplaced passing and poorly executed rushes forward.

Around the 70 minute mark Kane was nearly afforded a free effort on goal as the onrushing Macdonald stumbled over the ball, but the keeper hacked clear at the vital moment.

A full quota of substitutes from both sides did little to initiate any signs of life with half-chances, at best, failing to be convented by David Templeton or Pavlyuchenko.

As full-time came about, at least the record book will mark Spurs' progression into the group stages of the Europa League on an evening that was less than inspiring for the home side.