Ange Postecoglou's exciting Tottenham claim as James Maddison six-word message highlights truth

Wilson Odobert had one man to thank for his vital double in Tottenham's Europa League round of 16 triumph over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening. Netting his first goals for the club following his summer move from Burnley, it was Dominic Solanke who set the winger up on both occasions.

Odobert's first goal of the night all came from a pass across the area after the striker had profited from some fine pressing from Son Heung-min. Whereas some frontmen may have taken a touch and gone for goal, Solanke was alert to know that his teammate was in an excellent position to fire home and level things up on aggregate.

Solanke's second assist was even better as he produced an incredible backheel flick from Djed Spence's cross that ran along the six-yard line and into Odobert's path. Solanke's exquisite touch and Odobert's finish capped off a remarkable move that saw Spurs work the ball from their own 18-yard-box into the AZ goal.

On a night where much was made of the performances of Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and the leadership group of Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, James Maddison and Son, Solanke perhaps missed out on the headlines he deserved after producing a huge performance up front. Not that the striker would mind anyway after helping Tottenham achieve their goal of coming from behind to secure a place in the quarter-finals of UEFA's second club competition.

What his performance did highlight was just how much Spurs missed him in the front three during his time in the treatment room with a knee injury. The ex-Bournemouth man caused AZ a host of problems across the 90 minutes due to his incredible work rate, hold-up play, smart touches and his pressing qualities.

Not only does Solanke drastically improve Tottenham's front three when he is in the starting XI, he also elevates Postecoglou's team to another level as he is that influential. He is a game-changer for Tottenham and it's not hard to see why Tottenham were so intent on luring him from the Vitality Stadium back in August.

Taking to his Instagram account after the game to celebrate the win, Maddison left a six-word message on the 27-year-old's post and it said everything. He penned: "It's good to have you back."

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Postecoglou also namechecked Solanke and outlined his importance when discussing Spurs' third goal of the night.

"I think it’s important because again look, all goals are important and particularly in a game like that but when you score something, a goal you know is so much of the core of our attacking phases and we work so hard on, I think the players get belief out of that, that it does work," explained the Australian.

"Having Dom in there gives you a real focal point and just having his presence in the box, the ability to have guys like Madders and Sonny fresh today to be able to run at the opposition, they are just things we haven’t had the luxury of in the last three-and-a-half months. As I said, I think it was a really good foundational game for us to build on because I still feel like we will improve because of the nature of where people are at.

"I couldn’t be happier with the players. They deserve to get through and now we’re into the quarter-finals of a European competition which I think is exciting."

Postecoglou also said something else that should certainly whet the appetite of Tottenham fans. Asked about the first team now looking more like themselves, the 59-year-old mentioned that Spurs have "still got levels to go" as Solanke, Romero, Odobert and Micky van de Ven are "still building their way up to match fitness and match sharpness".

Solanke makes such a difference to the Tottenham team and he could be pivotal in what remains of the season. Winning the Europa League is Spurs' ultimate goal and the striker will be intent on ensuring they have a final to look forward to in Bilbao come May.

Wilson Odobert's starring role and how is Djed Spence not in the England squad? - Click here to listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham

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