Richarlison’s persuasion helped create his first goal of the season and extended Tottenham’s perfect start to this Europa League campaign.
The Brazilian managed to convince captain James Maddison to allow him to take the penalty, early in the second half, he put it in the net and began his pigeon dance celebration.
Maddison, who could do with a goal to lift his spirits after being taken off at half-time on Saturday, gave him a smile and a hug. It has been a difficult time for Richarlison, injured and sued by a personal assistant as Spurs attempted to cash in on Saudi Arabian interests.
He stayed still although he is barely fit to play, but he was among the goals again and this one proved key against AZ Alkmaar, who finished with 10 men after David Moller Wolfe was sent off for a second yellow card in the 85th minute.
Spurs were subdued in the first half and improved in the second, but they did enough to make it three wins from three in Europe, and nine points should be enough to take them to the next stage of the competition.
Richarlison (right) marked his first start of the season in style by scoring Tottenham’s only goal against AZ Alkmaar.
Richarlison managed to convince captain James Maddison (right) to allow him to take the penalty early in the second half.
The Brazilian put the penalty in the net and prepared to celebrate the pigeon dance.
The only sore spot for Ange Postecoglou would have been the injury to Lucas Bergvall.
The maximum points from the first two Europa League games gave Postecoglou the breathing space to make a whirlwind of changes, nine from the team that started the previous game against West Ham.
Maddison and Destiny Udogie were the only survivors. Maddison, replaced by Pape Matar Sarr at half-time on Saturday, captained the team and was influential from the start, dictating much of the early play as Spurs took control.
However, his mere inclusion in this team must leave you wondering if he will start at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Mikey Moore, who played 90 minutes against Ferencvaros in Budapest, shone in his first home start after heading wide the first chance of the night at the far post after receiving a cross from Timo Werner.
Maddison took advantage of Roma-Jayden Owusu-Oduro’s first save with a low and wide shot from outside the area.
The AZ goalkeeper denied Werner’s goal midway through the first half, although the German should have scored.
Mikey Moore, who played 90 minutes against Ferencvaros in Budapest, shone in his first home game as a starter
Released with a pass from Bergvall’s midfield, Werner had plenty of time but suffers a crisis of confidence in front of goal. His shot was rushed, lacked power and direction and was easily saved.
Richarlison, starting his first game in 175 days, gave him another chance before the break. This more difficult one, while running from an angle, Werner shot wide with his left foot. He did not return in the second half, replaced by Brennan Johnson.
The Dutch were content to play on the counterattack. Former Spurs academy prospect Troy Parrott led the line for them. Parrott moved to Alkmaar for £6.7million in the summer and received a warm welcome upon his return.
Their attacking threat was weak in the first half, although they came close to taking a shock lead with a header from centre-back Alexandre Penetra, who beat Ben Davies in the air at a corner and forced a save from Fraser Forster.
Werner’s departure meant a switch for Moore from the right flank to the left, where he made an instant impact with a delightful pass to Johnson, whose shot was blocked, a teasing cross almost deflected by Bergvall and an elusive run.
Alkmaar defender David Moller Wolfe was sent off in the 85th minute after receiving his second yellow card of the night.
Postecoglou made nine changes from the team that started the previous match against West Ham.
That lifted spirits and Tottenham took the lead from the penalty spot. Rodrigo Bentancur’s pass to Maddison reached Bergvall and was brought down by Maxim Dekker. After the conversation with Maddison about who should do it, Richarlison stepped up to score.
There were scares for the Spurs who couldn’t find a second goal to calm their nerves. Bentancur made an excellent recovery block after Radu Dragusin was caught in possession and Forster made an excellent late save when AZ substitute Mayckel Lahdo broke clear.
