FOOTBALL: Lamela hits treble as Spurs secure top spot by John Green

Lamela celebrates with teammates

Spurs sealed top spot in Group J as they breezed past Monaco after a devastating first-half performance from Erik Lamela, who scored three goals for the time in England.

Erik Lamela hit a first-half hat-trick as Tottenham clinched top spot in Group J of the Europa League with a 4-1 triumph over Monaco at White Hart Lane.

Lamela broke the deadlock inside two minutes before a goalkeeping howler gifted him a second after a quarter of an hour. His third arrived shortly before the break, taking his tally in the competition this season to five.

Tom Carroll also scored for Mauricio Pochettino's side, as they stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches with a third successive home win in Europe.

Stephan El Shaarawy's fine effort on the hour was no more than a consolation for Monaco. The Ligue 1 side finish behind both Tottenham and Anderlecht - who defeated Qarabag 2-1 at home - in the final standings.

With a place in the last-32 already guaranteed, Pochettino had the luxury of naming Dele Alli and Harry Kane among the substitutes.