Tottenham held by Roma after late Hummels leveller

Veteran defender Mats Hummels snatched a late equaliser for Claudio Ranieri's Roma to frustrate Tottenham in the Europa League.

The 35-year-old Germany international, playing his first European match since the Champions League final in July, gave away a penalty in the fifth minute but made amends in stoppage time, tapping in Angelino's whipped cross.

Spurs had been the superior side for much of the match after Son Heung-min turned in the penalty that Hummels gave away, who was slow to a loose ball in the box and brought down young midfielder Pape Matar Sarr.

Brennan Johnson also struck a good first-time finish after a Dejan Kulusevski cutback after defender Evan N'Dicka had equalised.

Stephan El Shaarawy also struck an excellent volley which was ruled out by VAR for offside.

But Spurs should have extended their lead further in the first half as Johnson had a shot cleared off the line, Dominic Solanke saw a shot saved, Son blazed over a rebound after the in-form Kulusevski hit the post.

The match felt comfortable for Spurs, who could have built a bigger lead, but a flurry of second half efforts from Roma, including former Manchester City wing-back Angelino hitting a first-time volley onto the bar, were warnings.

Porro also struck the woodwork with a second half free-kick and Solanke hit the post, but Roma had two more goals ruled out for offside calls on Artem Dovbyk and Manu Kone.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou also had limited options, making four changes from his side which impressed with a 4-0 away win at Manchester City on Saturday, amid a spate of injuries.

His substitutes in Yves Bissouma, Timo Werner, James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall came late, and couldn't stem the relentless Italian pressure.

Spurs are ninth in the Europa League league phase standings, outside of the top eight that avoid a play-off match, with matches against Rangers, Hoffenheim and Elfsborg to come.

Roma, meanwhile, impressed in a chaotic season where they are on their third manager. Former Leicester and Chelsea manager Ranieri, 73, came out of retirement to manage his boyhood club for the third time.

The narrative could easily have been about how stand in goalkeeper Fraser Forster saved the day ahead of a prolonged spell in the team following number one Guglielmo Vicario's ankle fracture.

The 36-year-old's 91st minute save from Gianluca Mancini's spinning volley was spectacular, but just 25 seconds later he was picking the ball out of the back of his net.

Immediately as Roma kicked off, Forster will have pleased his manager when clearing a long ball over the top of his defence, he looked competent playing out from the back, albeit under little pressure and saved six another shots.

There was little he could have done about either goal, one of which was a wonderful header, and the other was from just a couple of yards out.

There was one misplaced pass which remains a cause for concern as Vicario specialises in this area and has become so crucial to Postecoglou's style of play.

These next few months remain an audition period for Forster but it was a competent first showing as he will remain the club's main goalkeeper until at least January when the transfer window re-opens.

The challenge is to convince the club not to sign another goalkeeper as Vicario remains out for "months".

When asked about Forster's performance, Postecoglou said: "He probably thought to himself that's why he is here and come in when he is needed and be a reliable goalkeeper for us.

"It helped that he has already played for us and it wasn't his first game. It's always good for him to pull off a couple of big saves anyway to get back into the groove."

Source: BBC Sport