Vicario saves Spurs in battling draw at Monaco

Tottenham Hotspur keeper Guglielmo Vicario produced a superb performance to defy Monaco as Thomas Frank's side survived to earn an important Champions League point.

Italian Vicario has had his critics this season, but was the main reason Spurs survived an indifferent performance in Stade Louis II to leave with a draw.

He made four fine saves in the first half, three from former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun, then another clawed effort to deny Maghnes Akliouche.

Spurs had to put in a battling defensive display against a side that had drawn 2-2 with Manchester City, but came close themselves when Micky van de Ven headed just over before half-time.

But it was the Vicario show after the break when he again thwarted Akliouche and Balogun, then produced the pick of his saves to brilliantly block Jordan Teze's header from point-blank range.

Former Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamino also missed three more opportunities, leaving Frank grateful to take something away from this game thanks to a Vicario-inspired rearguard action.

Tottenham analysis: Dismal display but Frank's side remain unbeaten

The sound of Tottenham's travelling fans demanding more urgency from their side as they slowed the game down in stoppage time summed up the frustrating nature of this performance.

Spurs were strictly second best on a night when Monaco had the upper hand throughout in the staid surroundings of Stade Louis II, and they will have to produce better if they want to make serious progress in the Champions League.

It was only down to the brilliance of Vicario and Monaco's generosity in front of goal, especially the hapless Minamino, that allowed the English side to escape with a point.

Van de Ven's header and a half-chance for Richarlison apart, Spurs spent most of the game in survival mode, seemingly happy to settle for a draw as the clock wound down.

A lack of attacking threat will have troubled head coach Frank as they made little impression on Monaco's defence, with Richarlison's lack of impact seeing him replaced. Substitute Randal Kolo Muani, who had only played 24 minutes in two substitute appearances this season, was also unable to change the pattern of the game.

It was a second very average display from Spurs in the competition away from home in this campaign, having scrambled from 2-0 down to earn a point against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt.

If Frank needed positives, though, he could point to the fact his side are unbeaten in their opening three games, with two played away, and managing that only once before in the 2017-18 Champions League campaign.

This, however, was grim fare.