Ange Postecoglou went through the ringer once more. Hands thrown up onto his head on disbelief as decisions went against his team and yellow cards were flashed. Slumped onto his knees in despair as chances were missed.
There was concern, too, for his Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, carried off after appearing to be knocked unconscious, which was allayed by a positive update that he was conscious and talking at half time.
This time, however, Postecoglou came out smiling. Punching the air as Lucas Bergvall's first goal for Tottenham gave them a lead to defend to take to Merseyside for the second leg of this semi final in four weeks.