Victor Osimhen scored a brace, but he could have got more inside the first half of Galatasaray’s UEFA Europa League group stage match against Tottenham, at the Rams Park on Thursday.
Osimhen fluffed a few opportunities, but, he got two to open his goals account in the competition the is season, in addition to an assist.
The Striker who is on loan from Napoli, and still a subject of interest from Chelsea, bullied the Tottenham defence into submission, as he helped Galatasaray to a dominant first half show.
Yunus Akgun put Gala ahead in the 6th minute, but his goal was cancelled out by the young Will Lankshear 12 minutes later.
It was at this point Osimhen stole the show, alongside Dries Mertens; the two combined to restore Galatasaray’s lead and also extend it.
Mertens the provider and Osimhen with the gloss of a poacher’s strike got his first in the 31st minute, then followed it up eight minutes later for his brace.
Victor Osimhen. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
He stamped his authority on the game, Ange Postecoglou wondering what to do with the Monster ripping his team apart.
Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, speaks to the media in the flash interview. (Photo by Burak Kara – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
After the restart, Tottenham went on the offensive, more like played a bit more aggressively, but it would cost them in the end.
Lankshear was booked in the 53rd minute and seven minutes later was back to face the Referee, this time for his marching orders.
Referee Lawrence Visser shows a red card to Will Lankshear. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Reduced to 10 men, Postecoglou threw everything at the game, calling reinforcements off the bench.
The Tottenham boss introduced in-form Dominic Solanke in the 63rd minute, and true to his ratings, the summer recruit pulled one back for the visitors.
Dominic Solanke controls the ball whilst under pressure from Kaan Ayhan. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Solanke’s goal (69′) gave Tottenham a fighting chance, and despite playing a man less, they were determined to preserve their perfect record in the competition.
However, it was all up to Okan Buruk and his team.
Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk. (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)
Buruk’s last act of goodwill to the travelling fans was to replace Osimhen in the 80th minute, and for what was left of regular time and the seven minutes added for stoppages, they clung to their slim lead.
Eventually, at the final whistle, Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray had climbed to third, but inflicted Tottenham with their first defeat of the UEL this season.
