Spurs show spirit but badly need more spark

No clear chances from open play puts loss to limited hosts into perspective

- Dan Kilpatrick

AC Milan 1

Diaz 7

Tottenham 0

TOTTENHAM are still narrow favourites to reach the Champions League quarter-final, despite defeat here at the San Siro last night.

With a home crowd behind them under the lights on March 8 and fringe players more settled in Antonio Conte's side, Spurs should have more than enough to see off a canny but limited AC Milan, who lead the tie thanks to Brahim Diaz's early strike.

Diaz bundled over the line inside seven minutes following Fraser Forster's double save and, from there, Spurs would probably have taken a 1-0 deficit.

There was promise in the visitors' response and the way they managed the game for the remaining 83 minutes, despite a rookie midfield of Oliver Skipp, 22, and Pape Matar Sarr, 20- although Milan had the two best chances to add to their lead, with Charles De Ketelaere and Malick Thiaw heading wide.

Harry Kane and Conte were both upbeat afterwards, with the stand-in captain hailing his team-mates' fight, and the head coach backing the home fans to help his players over the line in the second leg.