What James Maddison and Richarlison did after Tottenham penalty debate vs AZ Alkmaar

James Maddison says he chose to hand over penalty duties to Richarlison in in order to give his teammate a confidence boost.

The midfielder - who was named captain for the night with Son Heung-min being rested - had initially taken the ball off Richarlison, who wanted to take the spot-kick. But he ultimately relinquished duties to the Brazil forward, who dispatched on 53 minutes to net his first goal of the season.

The 27-year-old was starting his first game of the season, too, having only made three Premier League substitute appearances and has not long returned from injury. showed his appreciation for Maddison's gesture by embracing him after the goal and, once again, on the bench after both had been subbed by Ange Postecoglou.

Explaining why he let Richarlison take the penalty, told TNT Sports: "Initially, we both wanted to take it. I'm a senior player, I was captain today [on Thursday night], I was going to take it.

"But I thought Richarlison has come back from an injury. It's difficult for a striker [and], a first goal gives confidence. But it was a split-second decision to let him take it.

"[It's] leadership, obviously I wore the armband but, even if I wasn't captain, I would still like to think I would make the decision that is best for the team. Hopefully that gives him a big boost."

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Tottenham - whose opponents were reduced to ten men five minutes from time when David Moller Wolfe was shown a second yellow card - have now accumulated three wins from three in the Europa League. They are only kept off top spot in the league standings by Lazio on goal difference.

Next in the Europa League, Spurs next face a tricky trip to Galatasaray in a fortnight before hosting Roma in the final fixture of November ahead of the visit to Rangers on December 12.