Tottenham 1-0 Rubin Kazan: Pavlyuchenko’s thunderbolt free-kick keeps Spurs top of Group A after frantic European encounter

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As suspected, given the dearth of Tottenham defensive options, Jake Livermore filtered back to centre-half alongside Sebastien Bassong, as Sandro and Aaron Lennon were eased back into action in central midfield and right wing respectively.

For the visitors Obafemi Martins, one-time serial scourge of Spurs and scorer of the winning goal against Arsenal in last season’s League Cup final, had to make do with a spot on the bench as Rubin boss Kurban Berdyev plumped to lead the line with Paraguayan target man Nelson Valdez.

Aside from a very early sighter from Pavlyuchenko, it was the compact Russian side who enjoyed the brighter start to the game, with two headed efforts nearly forcing the visitors into the lead.

Captain Roman Sharonov powered above Livermore but could only glance his effort wide of the post. Minutes later, Noboa produced a wickedly swerving cross from deep that invited Valdez to power it home but the striker was thwarted by a point blank Heurelho Gomes stop.

The game tooed and frowed before Pavyluchenko emphatically took matters into his own hands after a jinking run from Danny Rose came to an abrupt halt as he was hauled down on the edge of the box. The Russian frontman proceeded to grab the ball, reposition it after the referee’s protestations and hammer an absolutely unstoppable effort in off the bar, with keeper Ryzhikov beaten despite covering that side of the net.

Pav that | Pavlyuchenko's thunderbolt hands Spurs priceless victory over Rubin Kazan

The goal took the sting out of Rubin’s tail, as Spurs nearly doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, with the clearly up-for-it Pavlyuchenko cutting in from the right to hit a dipping effort that Ryzhikov did well to beat away.

The game picked up exactly were it left off, with twin Pavyluchenko and Bassong efforts threatening Rubin’s stability before Gomes raced off his line to punch the ball off the head of the primed Valdez.

As the game drew on Rubin galvanised and pushed hard for the equaliser, with Spurs offering little but stoic last resort resistance. Some erratic Gomes keeping somehow ended up in his teams favour, as sloppy play with the ball in his hands and a lunging clearance kept the visitors at bay, before Kyle Walker made two vital blocks to deny clear goalbound efforts.

Defoe went close after Aaron Lennon hung up a cross at the far post though the continued threat of a Rubin equaliser forced Redknapp’s hand in bringing on the experienced trio of Luka Modric, Younes Kaboul and Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Despite relentless Rubin pressure, including two Martins efforts that perhaps should have been converted, Spurs managed to cling onto a narrow victory, allowing them to usurp their opponents at the summit of the Europa League Group A.