Tottenham were fortunate to leave Alkmaar with their Europa League dream still alive after a 1-0 defeat to AZ on Thursday.

Struggling in the bottom half of the Premier League and out of both domestic cups, Spurs' hopes of a successful season rest on European glory, with a long-awaited trophy win also presenting a route back into continental action next term.

But a narrow loss in this last-16 first leg in the Netherlands represented a positive result for a visiting side who were dominated from the outset despite controlling possession.

The only goal came courtesy of a Tottenham player as Lucas Bergvall's sliced clearance looped over Guglielmo Vicario in the 18th minute.

Vicario thereafter ensured that remained the extent of the damage ahead of next week's return match, though, saving from ex-Spurs forward Troy Parrott before Ange Postecoglou's men somehow survived a manic goalmouth scramble shortly before half-time.

There was no change to the pattern of play following the restart, but Vicario saved well from Ernest Poku, and AZ may fear they have let Tottenham off the hook.

Data debrief: Scoreline flatters Spurs

Tottenham will need to improve drastically in the home leg in order to advance; they created very little and looked incredibly vulnerable at the back, leading to an extremely one-sided encounter.

AZ created shots worth 1.57 expected goals to Spurs' 0.44, including four Opta-defined big chances. Spared by profligate finishing and Vicario's fine performance, the visitors could only muster a single shot on target.

They will hope to have reinforcements at both ends of the pitch next week, but Dominic Solanke, one of Tottenham's returning stars, had to be substituted in stoppage time after appearing from the bench.