Richarlison scored from the penalty spot, helping Tottenham keep up their perfect start to the Europa League with a win against AZ Alkmaar.

After recovering from injury, the Brazilian made his first start for Spurs this season. He had a brief disagreement with James Maddison about who should take the penalty after Maxim Dekker had kicked out at Lucas Bergvall in the box.Captain Maddison passed the responsibility on, and Richarlison confidently sent the ball straight down the middle to give Tottenham the winning goal in the 53rd minute.

"We both wanted to take it at first," Maddison told TNT Sports."I'm a senior player, I was captain today, I was going to take it, but I thought Richarlison has come back from an injury, it's difficult for a striker – a first goal gives confidence."

Ange Postecoglou's team had struggled to break down AZ's defence until then and couldn't make the most of their few clear-cut first-half chances.

Mikey Moore just missed with a header early on, while Timo Werner had a couple of lacklustre efforts before he was replaced by Brennan Johnson for the second half.

Spurs were much improved after the interval, with exciting English teenager Moore playing a starring role at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Tottenham had a few anxious moments, with Fraser Forster making a great save to stop a looping header from Alexandre Penetra.

Troy Parrott, who used to play for Spurs, had a chance to equalise with 15 minutes to go but his shot was straight at Forster.

AZ had to play the last five minutes with one less player after David Moller Wolfe was given a second yellow card.

Tottenham also had a late penalty appeal rejected when goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro seemed to bring down full-back Destiny Udogie.

Spurs are currently sitting on nine points from three games in the Europa League, but they've got tougher tests coming up in November with Galatasaray and Roma.