Tottenham faced a tough task in beating Qarabag 1-0 on their own turf, as the Azeri side played a compact game and threatened the Spurs goal occasionally, but with some intent.  However, a patient and measured performance earned them the goal reward that sees them qualify and justifies Mauricio Pochettino's squad selection for this 6,000 mile journey to Azerbaijan.

With Walker, Dembele and Rose left at home, in came Davies, Trippier and Mason to start in Azerbaijan.

The game started with both sides keeping hold of the ball comfortably, but apart from a couple of long range efforts in the first ten minutes by Ryan Mason that were firstly easy for the keeper and secondly too high. Son strayed offside when he got on the end of Eriksen's pass slipped through the defence, just before Trippier pulled a volleyed pass back into the box from the right wing and Dele Alli struck it first time, but way off target.

It took 28 minutes for Qarabag to get a shot on goal, when Dani Quitana fed Ismaylov breaking into the box on the right side, but hitting a low shot straight at Lloris, who got his hands behind it, but not his legs. When Popeon went too early over the top of Dier trying to win a header, he crumpled on landing and his team-mates thought Spurs should put the ball out, but they continued to play on. This led to a row between the Qarabag captain Richard and Dier and Kane, with the home player ending up with a yellow card for his aggressive protestations.

The half time break came and went, with the teams playing the second half much the same as the first. Lots of possession, with little end product. Qarabag had a shot on the hour from Dani, which was deflected wide by Vertonghen's block and then Alli had a shot straight at the keeper after being thwarted played in inside the box within eight yards of goal. Kane got away and lashed an effort into the side netting, but too often, the touch and weight of pass were not was required.

The closest Spurs came to scoring was with a fierce shot that rattled the crossbar after Sehic got a feint touch on the ball as it flew at goal from the edge of the box. A good passage of passing set up Dier for a 25 yarder that almost crept under the keeper's hands as he dived right. From the corner, it was played short and Kane struck a shot that bounced off the backside of a defender and away.

Qarabag also produced a good move in the 68th minute, cutting through the Spurs defence for Dani to shoot and force Lloris to a save, but Spurs hit back with Dier finding Son, but his touch allowed a defender to clear for yet another corner. Qarabag must have watched Spurs a lot, as they were not afraid to concede them, probably knowing that we are not very good at converting them.

Spurs were pushing for a goal and Alli drove into the box to get onto a ball from Alderweirled on the right to the left side of the box and struck it first time on the volley, only to see the ball bounce back off the foot of the keeper's right hand post. Then the ball was worked around for substitute Tom Carroll to find Eriksen on the edge of the box and his pass inside the area found Harry Kane, who struck it first time and was only denied by a flying save from Sehic in the 77th minute. From the corner, Eriksen picked up his cleared corner kick and won another corner.

It was lucky thirteen as Eriksen finally picked out a Spurs head, this time Son at the near post and the ball travelled across the six yard box to find Harry Kane racing in to head past Sehic from close range to put Tottenham into the lead.

It was obvious that Qarabag would press to get something back but the ball hit the net with no celebration from their players, as five of the black shirted opposition were in offside positions. But then again, Tottenham weren't finished and Eriksen sent a 25 yard shot from the right going a couple of feet over and when Clinton N'Jie had his first run at the Azeri defence, it produced a free kick on the edge of the D, but the Dane hit the top of the wall.

As time approached the end of the three minutes added on, Josh Onomah replaced Eriksen and the rapidly emptying terraces fell quiet. Spurs kept possession until the final whistle with the home side looking worn out.

An away win in Europe at last after a long run without three points from our travels. With changes and the team looking slightly off the pace, Tottenham seemed happy to stroll through the game at a pace lesser than a normal Premier League clash. Not only did a strong side prove Pochettino's selection, but the team are now through to the knock-out stages with one home match against Monaco to come.

How this long trip will affect the players when they run out against Chelsea on Sunday, only time will tell, but one part of the season's targets has been achieved it allows Mauricio to concentrate on the league until the FA Cup comes around in January.