Erik Lamela's outstanding double helped 10-man Tottenham Hotspur reignite their Europa League campaign with a comfortable win over Asteras Tripolis at White Hart Lane.
After Harry Kane gave Spurs an early lead Lamela stole the show with an outrageous strike from 25 yards which saw the Argentina international wrap his left foot around his right leg and slam effortlessly beyond a helpless Tomas Kosicky.
The former River Plate winger was at it again mid-way through the second half, volleying home in thunderous fashion to extend the hosts' lead.
Kane notched his fourth goal in as many European many games as he tapped home after Kosicky fumbled Mousa Dembele's shot before completing his hat-trick with a deft header from Federico Fazio's cross.
Hugo Lloris was sent off for fouling Jeronimo Barrales with three minutes left, and though Kane - forced to go in goal after all three substitutes had been used - was unable to keep out the forward's resulting free-kick, it did nothing to steal the headlines away from Lamela.
Following a miserable first 15 months in north London the goals were two belated yet exceptional displays of quality from Lamela following his club record move from Roma in the summer of 2013 and aptly marked the 10-year anniversary of the passing of legendary manager Bill Nicholson.
Victory thrusts Tottenham into second in Group C, level on points with Besiktas and puts Mauricio Pochetino's team back on course to qualify for the knockout stage.
A decade on from the death of Uefa Cup winning manager Nicholson, for so long the heartbeat of Spurs, Pochettino's team were looking to drum life into their own European campaign against the Greek minnows.
Playing in their first ever European campaign, the rags to riches story of Triplois - who were playing in the Greek fourth team 11 years ago - had already tripped up Partizan Belgrade as they registered the only win in Group C three weeks ago.
Goalscorers from their only major continental win captain Fernando Usero and Facundo Parra were both included from the start against a Tottenham team which showed six changes from the 4-1 loss to Manchester City.
Despite the raft of alterations Spurs began with the sluggishness which defined their defeat to the Premier League champions, with Etienne Capoue missing an interception and allowing Pablo Mazza through on goal, but the Argentine dragged his effort wide.
In an attempt to nullify the pace of Lamela and Andros Townsend, Asteras defended deep, but while the ploy restricted the home side's opportunities in behind, it would eventually be their undoing as Kane was allowed space to thunder in from 25 yards for his fourth goal of the season.
The opening goal did little to enliven Tottenham's performance with the visitors' rare bouts of possession continuing to yield chances and centre-back Giorgoe Zispoulos should have leveled but his back post header flew harmlessly over Lloris' goal.
Parra had an equally presentable opportunity when put through on goal but was denied first by Lloris' parry and then by Ben Davies' goal-line clearance.
But if Tottenham were showing nerves having taken an early lead that anxiety was blown away by an outrageous finish from Lamela, which saw the £30m man strike a 'rabona' with his left foot beyond a helpless Kosicky.
While replays of the goal caused gasps throughout a half-full White Hart Lane, the effort worked to confirm Lamela's undoubted talent of which there had only been passing evidence of during first year in English football.
The 22 year old's second on 66 minutes might have lacked the audacity of his first but wasn't short of outstanding execution as he volleyed home after having his initial effort blocked by Braian Lluy.
Kane attempted to upstage the double and end the evening in the fitting fashion it deserved first as he turned home after Dembele's shot was only parried by Kosicky and before securing his first club treble with a simple header.
However the dismissal of Lloris, and subsequent goal for substitute Barrales from a free-kick which squirmed under deputy 'keeper Kane ensured the game finished on a frenetic note which had defined the evening throughout.
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