| 19 August 2011 |
Jake Livermore, centre, celebrates putting Tottenham 3-0 up against Hearts in their Europa League tie at Tynecastle.Harry Redknapp insisted the team's first half display at Hearts was 'as good as I've seen us play'.
Rafa van der Vaart struck early and that provided the platform for some irresistible football against the Scottish Premier League side in this Europa League play-off, first leg in Edinburgh.
Rafa's opener in the fifth minute was quickly followed by a carbon-copy finish from Jermain Defoe and when Jake Livermore struck his first Spurs goal for 3-0 inside half-hour, much of the sting had been drawn from both the home side and such a passionate support inside Tynecastle.
To their credit, Hearts came storming back at the start of the second half but we withstood that pressure and completed a memorable first match of the 2011-12 campaign with goals from Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon for a final 5-0 scoreline.
"We started the game so well, we moved the ball around fantastic in that first half," said Harry. "I'd say that's as good as I've seen us play to be honest.
"We passed the ball great. We played with a team with loads of ability and there was great movement everywhere.
"Hearts came out in the second half and gave it go, started stronger and brighter but we could have been four or five up at half-time. We had a couple of great chances to go even further in front.
"The football in that first half, I just enjoyed watching us play. It was excellent.
"I expected a really tough game here. We've seen them play and what an atmosphere. I mean, you heard the crowd before the game, they are fantastic supporters, they are amazing, they kept with their team all through the game, they were great. To win as we did in the end was fantastic."
We now travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Monday before the return leg against Hearts at the Lane on
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