Tottenham 1 - 1 Besiktas
A much changed Tottenham side had to be satisfied with a draw against the dangerous Besiktas on Thursday, their Turkish opponents' endeavour finally being rewarded in the 89th minute. Despite causing Spurs constant problems throughout the game, they had trailed to a wonderfully taken Harry Kane goal up until that moment, but then the London's side resistance was broken as Vlad Chiriches gave away a needless penalty. Former Premier League player Demba Ba showed all of the poise that made him a favourite when at Newcastle by coolly slotting the ball home from the spot.
It was at least as much as they deserved on the day, but both teams would have hoped for all three points after drawing their opening games in the group.
Besiktas will still be smarting after losing in the Champions League final qualifying stage to Spurs' North London rivals, Arsenal, which led to their participation in the Europa League instead. They set about Spurs with attacking intent and should have scored as early as the 2nd minute, Ba rolling his defender to put Olcay Sahan through on goal, but he side footed just wide. Ba it was again who went close on 12 minutes, as his fierce shot struck the woodwork.
Rather against the run of play it was Spurs who took the lead though, as on 27 minutes a neat interchange ended with Nabil Bentaleb sliding a pass through for England under 21 international, Kane to crash a left footed shot into the corner.
Besiktas hit back and almost equalised five minutes later when Sahan's effort was blocked by keeper Hugo Lloris' legs.
Kane seemed determined to match Ba's threat at the other end as he headed over on the stretch following a deep cross from Davies on 36 minutes and then was denied a goal a couple of minutes later by Besiktas' keeper Tolga Zengin's agility, as Spurs ended the half on the front footing.
The second half followed a similar pattern as the Turkish side continued to press and create chances for Sahan and Ba that Lloris was equal to, with Kane offering Spurs' best hope of adding to their goals' tally at the other end. Lloris could only watch though on 64 minutes as Sahan's spectacular scissor kick flew narrowly wide of the post and also when sub Mustafa Pektemek headed over.
Lloris produced the save of the night with 15 minutes to go to deny Ba from close range after the striker had exquisitely brought a high cross down.
Just when it seemed that their opponents had run out if ideas, Chiriches literally handed them a lifeline as he was seen to push the ball away in the area. That earned him a booking and an equaliser for Ba from the resultant penalty.
Everton and Celtic top their groups
Everton and Celtic also featured in Europa League group games on Thursday. The Glasgow team earning a narrow 1-0 win at Parkhead over Dinamo Zagreb through a Kris Commons goal that sees them top Group D, whilst the Toffees top Group H after scraping a 1-1 draw away to FK Krasnodar thanks to a late Samuel Eto'o equaliser.