Anzhi have a late chance as Eschenko whips in a cross and Dawson's header goes to Ahmedov, but the midfielder tries a volley which flies way over.
90'
Chance for Spurs as Chadli sets Defoe free, but the striker is forced wide by the goalkeeper, and he tries to return the ball to Chadli but the pass is wayward and Anzhi clear.
89'
The game has slowed right down now as we move into the final minutes. Eriksen tries to run forward on his own but Adeleye cuts him out.
87'
Solomatin collects a long ball wide on the left and it looks like he handles it but play goes on, and he lays back to Traore who slows the move down, but Spurs eventually get possession back in defence.
85'
Save! Ahmedov fires a pass through for Solomatin, who shoots first time from a wide angle but manages to force a strong save fro Lloris.
83'
Defoe's had little to work with tonight, and he picks up the ball on the edge of the box before working it on to his left foot to fire a shot from 20 yards through three players, but it misses the target by some distance.
81'
Erik Lamela's passing accuracy was 79.5% (via Opta); the lowest of all Spurs' outfield players. Slightly disappointing for one of the visitors' big summer signings.
79'
C. Eriksen enters the game and replaces L. Holtby.
There's a flurry of substitutions but play resumes with Spurs on the ball. They'd love a third to kill the game off completely.
78'
A. Gadzhibekov enters the game and replaces B. Angbwa.
77'
Spurs have just managed to slow things down a touch after that good spell from Anzhi. Chadli and Holtby link up well before Dembele spreads it wide for Defoe, but the striker is given offside.
Minute
Description
75'
Traore has added a real threat to the Anzhi attack. He bursts through two defenders before Dawson gets back well to force a corner which Sigurdsson heads away from the near post.
73'
Fryers is put under pressure by Ahmedov and is forced to concede a throw. The hosts have definitely had the better of this half.
72'
Lamela also comes off for Spurs after a hit-and-miss performance. Meanwhile, Traore tries to latch on to a long throw into the box but it goes behind for a goal kick.
71'
M. Dawson enters the game and replaces Y. Kaboul.
G. Sigurðsson enters the game and replaces É. Lamela.
70'
Kaboul is in trouble and clearly pulled something when tracking back, there, so Michael Dawson will come on to replace him.
68'
Solomatin receives the ball and pushes into the area with Kaboul covering before trying to cut inside the defender, and he falls over theatrically with no challenge anywhere near him. The referee gives nothing - no penalty or booking.
67'
Ahmedov slide the ball forward for Traore, but both Kaboul and Chadli get back to close down the forward and force the ball out for a throw.
65'
Traore chases a high ball deep in the Spurs half and uses all of his gangly frame to put pressure on Walker, but he ends up fouling the full-back and Spurs have a free kick.
63'
Tottenham are just starting to feel the pressure here. They need to get some possession to reassert their dominance.
61'
Ahmedov gets in behind again and drills a cross in which is diverted behind. Sandro heads the corner away but it comes to Jucilei, who tries an audacious effort from 30 yards which he slices well wide.
60'
Holtby has time in the middle and fancies a goal of his own, trying a shot from distance which rolls slowly straight into the goalkeeper's arms.
59'
Save! Ahmedov, who has moved further out wide, forces a good challenge from Fryers before it's worked back to Solomatin, who hammers in a venomous cross-shot which Lloris has to parry over the bar.
57'
Andrey Eschenko is on for Anzhi as Spurs have possession in midfield before Traore steals it and bursts forward, setting the substitute free on the left, and he drills the ball low into the danger area but Lloris gets down to divert it away.
56'
A. Eshchenko enters the game and replaces S. Serderov.
54'
Razak tries to slide a pass through for Solomatin in the box, but Kaboul gets across well to cut out the danger. Traore is making the hosts look more threatening.
52'
Anzhi have a chance of their own as Ahmedov gets in behind Fryers thanks to Traore's pass, but his cross is cut out and Spurs clear.
51'
Just wide! SPurs break forward and Lamela strides down the right before cutting in and squaring to Chadli, who tries to bend an effort from the edge of the box but it flies just wide of the post.
50'
There's a slight mix-up at the back between Kaboul and Sandro, and Anzhi have a chance to shoot through Angbwa on the edge of the box, but the defender drags his effort way wide of the target.
48'
Holtby is down in pain after Adeleye goes in on the midfielder from behind. There's no action from the referee but Anzhi give the ball back to Spurs and Holtby is back up.
47'
The second half starts as the first ended, with Spurs comfortably keeping possession and probing for gaps.
46'
L. Traoré enters the game and replaces I. Abdulavov.
We're back underway as Anzhi kick off the second half, with Lacina Traore making his return from injury as he replaces Abdulavov.
45'
Chance! Holtby finds another excellent pass to release Walker, who crosses back for Defoe but the striker completely misses his kick and Anzhi clear.
44'
Anzhi are enjoying a good spell of possession as we approach the break. Angbwa gets forward chasing a long ball but Kaboul gets between man and ball, comfortably seeing it out for a goal kick.
42'
Spurs get in behind twice, and score twice. It's been a patient approach from Villas-Boas' men but it's paid off so far.
39'
N. Chadli has scored a goal for Tottenham Hotspur! Assist by K. Walker.
CHADLI SCORES!! IT'S 2-0!! Spurs are now well in charge of this game with two in five minutes as Walker gets in behind on the right-hand side and plays a simple ball into the middle for Chadli, whose finish is as simple as he strokes the ball into the corner.
37'
Chiriches gives the ball straight to Abdulavov, who works it out to Solomatin on the left, but the defender redeems himself by sprinting back and taking it out of the winger's stride.
36'
That was a superb finish and Spurs would argue they deserve the lead for all the possession they've had. Defoe is now just one away from Martin Chivers' European record.
34'
J. Defoe has scored a goal for Tottenham Hotspur! Assist by L. Holtby.
DEFOE SCORES!! SPURS LEAD!! It's the first chance of the match for the Tottenham man but he takes it emphatically. Spurs stroke it around beautifully before Holtby slides a pass between the defenders and Defoe latches on to the ball just inside the box before rifling a shot into the roof of the net.
32'
Save! Walker gets into an advanced position on the right before squaring it to Holtby, who works it on to his left foot before curling a fine effort from 25 yard which is bound for the top corner before Pomazan produces a solid stop to parry the ball away.
31'
The tempo is pretty lacklustre in Russia. Spurs are getting plenty of the ball but most of it is in the middle third. Anzhi have got in behind far more often.
30'
Chance for Anzhi as Solomatin gets in behind on the left and squares it to Serderov, who runs past Sandro before forcing a block by Lloris, but the referee spots something and gives a free kick to the visitors.
29'
Sandro slides another ball through the middle for Holtby, who looks for Defoe but sees his pass cut out by Ewerton, who was very alert to the danger.
27'
Serderiv cuts in from the left before playing a good reverse pass looking for Abdulavov, but there's just too much pace on it and Lloris comes out to claim the ball.
26'
Spurs get a dangerous-looking move going and Sandro slides it through for Lamela, but his touch lets him down and Ahmedov challenges well to win the ball back for the hosts.
25'
Chadli swings a cross in for Lamela, who brings it down with a superb touch and looks to play it back but sells his man short and Jucilei knocks it past Walker before going down theatrically, prompting the referee to tell him to get back up.
23'
Holtby runs through the middle but the ball bobbles on the surface and Razak poaches it off him, looking for Abdulavov but giving possession back to the visitors.
22'
Defoe tries to get on the end of a long ball but is outmuscled by Ewerton. The Spurs striker hasn't had much of a look-in so far.
20'
Holtby does well to hold of Serderov on the right before switching play to the other flank, where Fryers gives it away but Anzhi waste possession and play it straight through to Kaboul.
18'
Another lofted ball goes over the top of the Spurs defence and this time it's Fryers who has to deal with it, but he does well to see the ball out of play and Tottenham have possession once more.
17'
Dembele sets Lamela away in midfield and he nonchalantly flicks the ball out to Holtby on the left, butSpurs lose possession and the hosts have a chance to push forward.
16'
The Anzhi crowd are making plenty of noise, accompanied by a particularly loud drum. There's been nothing of note to spark this game into life yet, though.
14'
Spurs get another shot away and this time it's Sandro who opts to strike after finding space in midfield, but it's a fairly tame attempt which rolls straight to Pomazan.
13'
The first real shot of the match goes to Spurs as Sandro works it in to Defoe, who takes a touch before turning and dragging a 25-yard effort wide of the post.
12'
Walker gets in behind the defence and pushes to the line before pulling back to look for Defoe, who runs in to try and shoot first time but Adeleye does really well to slide in and clear.
11'
Good skill from Tagirbekov, who flicks it through the legs of Walker right in the corner, but then brings down Sandro and Lloris launches the free kick forward.
10'
Kyle Walker is penalised on halfway after going through the back of Serderov and Anzhi launch it forward again. This time, though, Chiriches comfortably heads it towards Sandro who clears his lines.
8'
Another high ball from Anzhi causes problems for Chiriches, who hesitates slightly and allows Solomatin to break forward. The defender recovers well, though, to slide in and put the ball out of play.
7'
Chadli darts in from the left before being dispossessed by Jucilei and Anzhi launch another long ball forward, which Kaboul hacks away. The hosts are clearly looking to play over Spurs.
6'
Chiriches gets himself into trouble as both Serderov and Razak close him down on the edge of the box, but he manages to get the ball back under control and send it forward.
5'
Dembele puts pressure on Angbwa in the Anzhi half, but it's too much and the hosts have a free kick and a chance to string some passes of their own together.
3'
Dembele skips through a few challenges on the edge of the box before running into a yellow wall. At the other end, Spurs escape some real danger as Solomatin latches on to Angbwa's long ball and is through one-on-one but is given offside.
2'
Spurs are taking things sensibly, settling into some early possession as they look to frustrate the hosts and silence their vocal supporters. Lamela releases Walker down the right but the full-back's cross is cleared by Tagirbekov.
1'
And the game gets underway as Spurs kick things off.
Hello and welcome to LIVE play-by-play coverage of the Europa League clash between Anzhi Makhachkala and Tottenham. The hosts have gone three games in Europe without scoring, while Tottenham registered a comfortable 3-0 win over Tromso in Matchday 1, but who will come out on top in Russia?
The teams have been announced so let's take a look at the line-ups, starting with the hosts...
So, Lacina Traore makes the bench for Anzhi despite struggling with a shoulder injury, while one of the more recognisable names after the departure of Willian, Samuel Eto'o & co. is Abdul Razak. The midfielder is currently on loan from Premier League outfit Manchester City.
Things are pretty miserable for the hosts at the moment. They haven't won any of their 11 domestic games this season and currently lie bottom of the Russian Premier League, while Tottenham are enjoying a goal-filled start to their Premier League campaign.
That said, Anzhi are unbeaten at home in the Europa League, having won four and drawn one of their five games, conceding just one goal. They'll find it tough to maintain that record today, though. (Stat courtesy of Opta)
Spurs are racking up the air miles this season. Tonight's trip to Russia contributes a hefty amount towards almost 8,500 miles of travelling in the Europa League group stage.
We're just a few minutes away from the start in Russia, and the teams come out of the tunnel into the Saturn Stadium, which still has plenty of empty seats. Can the hosts warm the supporters up with what would be a shock win, or will Spurs take the points back to north London?
Up front Spurs have decided to go with Jermain Defoe, who is just two goals shy of matching Tottenham's all-time European goalscoring record, currently held by Martin Chivers. Meanwhile, Lewis Holtby and Erik Lamela also earn starts today.
That's HALF TIME in Russia and it's Anzhi 0-2 Tottenham after two quick goals, first from Defoe and then from Chadli. The hosts got in behind Spurs on a couple of occasions but the visitors' patient approach has seen them dominate possession and, ultimately, the scoreline.
It will be interesting to see if Villas-Boas decides to change things at the break with Spurs in charge. There are more goals to be had but he might keep the weekend Premier League game against West Ham in mind.
Just a couple of minutes away from the restart in Russia, then. Can Anzhi get back in this or a Spurs going to run away with an easy win?
That's FULL TIME in Russia and Spurs have registered a comfortable 2-0 win against Anzhi thanks to first-half goals from Defoe and Chadli. Traore's introduction made the hosts much more competitive but the Tottenham defence looked solid throughout.
Spurs top the group, then, while Anzhi are in freefall. Gadzhiev has a lot of work to turn things around.
Well, that's all from Russia this evening, and it's another good night for Andre Villas-Boas. Thanks for joining our LIVE coverage this evening, and enjoy the rest of the Europa League action!
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