Managed by Andre Villas-Boas, who led Porto to a 2011 Europa triumph, Spurs’ avowed desire to win this term’s edition has been imbued by the Portuguese who is driven to repeat his previous success. The ecstatic reaction to Gareth Bale’s two stunning first-leg free-kicks, and then Mousa Dembele’s last-gasp tie clinching strike in France in the dug-out, on the field, and among watching fans, spoke of a club united in their determination to reach May’s Amsterdam final.
Over 38,000 were in Lyon’s Stade Gerland to see their team’s late demise, a healthy attendance which was mirrored at Stamford Bridge. Unlike the certain inevitability of the short-term nature of Manchester City’s and Manchester United’s involvement after falling into the Europa League a year ago there is less surety concerning Chelsea’s prospects.
Despite two uninspiring performances against limited opposition in Sparta Prague, the Blues may just be primed to become the first English team since Arsenal in 2000 to follow an early Champions League departure with a European final 6 months later.
Rafael Benitez makes no secret of his belief in his own tactical perspicacity, and considers the continental stage a perfect platform on which to display his credentials. The Spaniard has openly declared his desire to manage Real Madrid, as well as his national team. His chances of achieving either will rise considerably with a fresh European triumph at Chelsea to sit with his Champions League medal won at Liverpool in 2005, and the UEFA Cup winners gong secured 12 months earlier with Valencia.
Whether the players under Benitez’s charge can rouse themselves as their progression takes them nearer to a second successive European pot is a question that remains unanswered after the two meetings with Sparta. The fascinating daily sub-plots which characterise life at Stamford Bridge, and guarantee the Blues copious amounts of media coverage, will ensure that every twist and turn on their route through the Europa League – however long that may last – will be keenly scrutinised by all football followers.
In modern times a fair indication of the public’s engagement with any current event can be judged by the level of comment on social media. Throughout and after each of Tottenham’s, Liverpool’s, and Chelsea’s ties, twitter was awash with discussion about various aspects of all three.
Newcastle United completed the quartet of English clubs who were aiming for a last-16 place. Notwithstanding Liverpool needing to claw back their first-leg disadvantage, the Magpies arguably faced the toughest task of the four to advance. Their eventual 1-0 away victory against crack Ukranian outfit Metalist Kharkiv is not a feat to be under-estimated.
Pre-Christmas, the Geordies’ manager Alan Pardew, regardless of earlier statements to the contrary, voiced his contention that the Europa League had been a hindrance to his struggling side saying;
‘I don’t think there’s anyone who would go against my opinion that the competition is not great for Premier League teams. There are too many games put into a very competitive, tough league’.
Boosted by a productive January transfer window, and in the midst of that notable win in Ukraine, there was been a shift in Pardew’s outlook.
‘With (Hatem) Ben Arfa coming back and Cheick (Tiote) to add to that side, I really feel as if we can give this competition a good go’.
It is unlikely that one night of captivating football is going to launch the Europa League into the undying affections of supporters who are long disenchanted with the tournament and its unfriendly format. Nevertheless, it is possible that Alan Pardew’s freshly positive thoughts regarding the old UEFA Cup are gradually being echoed in English minds.
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