Dominic Solanke 'can still get fitter despite goal and assist in 10-man Tottenham win over Qarabag in UEFA Europa League

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Both Dominic Solanke and Ange Postecoglou conceded that the former Bournemouth striker is still making his way back to full match sharpness after Tottenham's 3-0 win over Qarabag in the UEFA Europa League. Spurs went down to 10 men after just seven minutes, but Solanke's goal and assist helped the hosts to an unlikely scoreline. Solanke praised his team's "spirit" after disruption to the kick-off.

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Dominic Solanke feels he is still getting back to full fitness despite scoring and assisting in 10-man Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Qarabag.

Spurs got the perfect start to their UEFA Europa League campaign, despite kick-off being delayed by over half an hour and Radu Dragusin's seventh-minute sending off.

The hosts had to endure several gilt-edged Qarabag chances, including a missed penalty from Toral Bayramov, but goals from Brennan Johnson, Pape Matar Sarr and Solanke gave them three points.

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Tottenham’s record signing has had a stuttering start to life at his new club due to an ankle injury, but now has two goals in his last two games.

“I think I can still get fitter,” admitted Solanke. “I obviously had that injury at the start of the season, which knocked my rhythm.

“But I’ve had a few games now, so hopefully I can keep going, keep scoring and keep helping the team.”

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The 27-year-old showed superb strength to set up Johnson’s opener, before displaying his striker’s instinct to follow up for Tottenham’s third.

And manager Ange Postecoglou sung the former Bournemouth man’s praises post-match, hailing his all-round performance.

“He’s been great for us, Dom. He obviously went through that long drought of two games without a goal,” joked Postecoglou.

“But he’s been fantastic for us, not just his goals but his general link-up play.

“It’s great for him and he’s still working his way to full fitness, but strong performance overall.”

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Given the disruption pre-match and the less than ideal opening 10 minutes, Solanke was pleased that he and his team showed “spirit” to react in the best possible way.

“The boys fought hard, going down to 10 men quite early on, and it could have been a difficult game, but we stuck with it, stuck with the game plan and I think it showed the spirit everywhere in the team,” said Solanke.

“Obviously we prepped for a 20:00 kick-off and then it got delayed. We had to stagger our prep. We stayed ready.

“We could have had a better start, obviously, but I think we grew into the game and got the job done.”

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