Shamrock Rovers 0-4 Tottenham: Redknapp's Side Crash Out Of Europa League Despite Comfortable Win

Tottenham Hotspur's 4-0 victory over Shamrock Rovers in Dublin was in vain as Rubin Kazan's draw away to PAOK was enough to send the Russian side through to the next round of the Europa League at the expense of Harry Redknapp's team.

Steven Pienaar, Andros Townsend, Jermain Defoe and Harry Kane scored the goals to hand Spurs victory in an entertaining match, with the Irish champions playing their part and giving a decent account of themselves against Premier League opposition.

Redknapp made nine changes to the side that lost against Stoke City at the weekend. Only Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul retained their places, with the latter having been sent off against the Potters, making him unavailable for Spurs’ next Premier League match.

Shamrock lined up largely as expected, with Karl Sheppard the lone striker. Ex-Spurs midfielder Rohan Ricketts earned a place on the bench.

A delicate run into the box from the nimble Giovani dos Santos aside, Spurs had little say in the final third of the pitch in the early stages of the match as Shamrock were quicker to settle.

Rovers are the only side in the group stage who have not scored a goal from open play and sure enough, their first chance came courtesy of a set-piece. Ken Oman shot just wide after Billy Dennehy’s free-kick had been headed down in the box.

Spurs were tidy enough in possession, but a lack of tempo and invention in their attacking play made Shamrock’s defensive duties fairly comfortable during the first 25 minutes.

When the skill of Pienaar provided the spark the visitors had lacked, they found themselves a goal in front. The South African spun expertly on the edge of the box to work himself into space before firing a low shot into the bottom corner, via a deflection.

The goal seemed to, at least briefly, turn Spurs into a different team and after Giovani had burst down the right-hand side Defoe came agonisingly close to doubling the lead as the Mexican’s pass across the penalty area just evaded him.

Spurs’ decision to switch Townsend to the left wing, with Pienaar moving central and Giovani taking the wide right role dramatically improved their prospects going forward. After a neat lay-off from Defoe, Townsend curled in a fabulous effort from the edge of the penalty area to double the Tottenham lead after 38 minutes.

Filled with confidence, Townsend continued to flourish, shooting just over the bar minutes later. The 20-year old then took Livermore’s pass in his stride before crossing low for Defoe, who turned and sent the ball past goalkeeper Richard Brush from close range.

Terrific Townsend | The winger scored a wonderful second goal for Spurs

Spurs came out in the second half looking for the scores they needed to overturn the goal difference advantage held by Rubin, but Michael O’Neill, taking charge of his last Hoops game, was not about to let his side roll over.

On two occasions in the second half, Sheppard went to ground looking for a penalty. The first was his best appeal, latching on to a ball dropped behind the Spurs defence, the striker was hauled down by Livermore who was exceptionally lucky not only not to concede a penalty but to also stay on the pitch.

Sheppard again found himself through on goal later in the half and was tripped by Cudicini as he dribbled around the Italian goalkeeper. The linesman’s flag was raised for offside, however, Sheppard was comfortably onside when the initial ball was played, but, crucially, Oman, also running through, brought the ball down and into his teammate’s path with Sheppard by that point ahead of the play.

Spurs continued to press but struggled to create clear cut opportunities, perhaps fatigued by the news that proceedings had once again been taken out of their hands courtesy of a Rubin equaliser in Greece.

Sandro’s cross inadvertently hit the post and bounced just wide off of goalkeeper Brush, but otherwise Shamrock contained Townsend and Giovani’s dangerous runs well. Substitute Stephen O’Donnell even found time to shoot just wide of Cudicini’s left post from distance.

When Iago Falque, who had replaced Assou-Ekotto with six minutes to go, saw his long-range effort rebound back off the post, it perhaps cemented the impression that, despite their impressive first half revival, this was not quite to be Spurs’ night.

Kane, who had replaced Defoe, turned home Townsend’s knock-down from a cross to add a fourth, but it was not quite enough.

Disappointing as it may be for Redknapp to see his side crash out at this stage of the competition, having reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League just last season, they will find themselves with plenty to focus on as they turn their attentions back to an intriguing Premier League campaign.