The Lilywhites went down 2-1 to PAOK at White Hart Lane, leaving Harry Redknapp’s side three points behind Kazan – and five goals worse off on goal difference. PAOK took the lead after six minutes when Dimitris Salpingidis was on hand to head past Heurelho Gomes in the Spurs goal.
The Greek side doubled their lead seven minutes later when Stefanos Athanasiadis was unmarked to head in from six yards.
Spurs gave themselves a lifeline with five minutes to play in the first half when Luka Modric scored from the spot after Konstantinos Stafylidis had handled Harry Kane’s shot on the line. The defender was sent off for the offence.
Harry Redknapp’s side bombarded the Salonika goal in the second half and they thought that they had equalized with 10 minutes to go when Jermain Defoe collected the ball in the area before poking in. However, the goal was ruled out for offside despite a PAOK defender, who was down after a challenge by Defoe seconds earlier, was led on the line.
PAOK have now qualified, and Kazan will only need a draw in Greece in their final match to progress without any complications, rendering Spurs’ final result away at Shamrock Rovers meaningless.
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