Antonio Conte's debut match as Tottenham manager included five goals in the first half, three red cards, and a taste of the struggle he confronts at the London club.
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After almost blowing a three-goal lead in Conte's debut, Tottenham held on for a 3-2 home triumph over Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League on Thursday. Following Nuno Espirito Santo's departure on Monday, the Italian was named as Spurs' next manager.
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Former Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho averted more embarrassment when Roma drew 2-2 at home against Norwegian club Bod/Glimt, who had thrashed Roma 6-1 at home in the previous round.
Conte appeared to have given Tottenham a much-needed boost when his team led 3-0 after only 28 minutes, but Vitesse equalised two minutes later. Spurs were subsequently put under pressure as defender Cristian Romero was sent off in the 59th minute, while Vitesse had two players sent off in the final ten minutes.
In the 14th minute, Son Heung-min, who scored the opening goal for both Jose Mourinho and Nuno, did the same for Conte, before Lucas Moura and a Jacob Rasmussen own goal seemed to put the hosts in complete control.
Tottenham is three points behind Rennes in Group G, who defeated Mura 1-0.
LYON, FRANKFURT ADVANCE
Following wins, Lyon and Eintracht Frankfurt were the first clubs to move to the Europa League knockout stages.
Lyon overcame Sparta Prague 3-0 in the second half, with two goals by Islam Slimani, for their fourth straight win in Group A, while Frankfurt defeated Olympiakos 2-1 in Group D.
West Ham was held to a 2-2 tie by Genk thanks to a late own-goal by David Moyes, who was celebrating his 1,000th career match as a manager.
It ruined West Ham's unbeaten run in Group H, but it maintained Moyes' side on track for a place in the knockout stages.
West Ham fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1 in Belgium, but substitute Tomas Soucek inadvertently headed a late cross inside the near post, leaving the Hammers with a point.
Napoli improved its hopes of progressing by defeating Legia Warsaw 4-1 away from home, leapfrogging the Polish team to take first place in a tight Group C. After a 1-1 draw with Spartak Moscow, Jamie Vardy's penalty miss left Leicester's chances alive.Leicester are now third in the group, two points behind Napoli, after Aleksandr Selikhov saved the striker's second-half kick.