Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: Fireworks and tears as Spurs return home

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Some fans were in tears. One former player called it a "different sense of beauty". And the scorer of the first competitive goal at the magnificent £1bn stadium said he was "the happiest guy in the world".

It may have been ready six months late but it's fair to say Tottenham Hotspur Stadium made a spectacular impression on all those present for Spurs' 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

BBC Sport looks at the reaction of those present inside the north London venue, which drew 59,215 spectators for the grand opening.

Son scores opener as Spurs win first game in new stadium

A glimpse inside Tottenham's new £1bn stadium

'Tears rolling down my face'

The space-age structure's 115 turnstiles opened three hours before kick-off to allow fans a chance to get used to the new facility.

A giant golden cockerel, illuminated in the night sky, looked down from that stand as Gladesmore Community School choir performed "Everybody Dreams", which was written as an anthem of hope for the area's young people after the Tottenham riots in 2011.

As the teams lined up, award-winning tenor and Spurs' fan Wynne Evans and former Gladesmore student Lanya Matthews delivered a rousing rendition of "Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur" before a spectacular firework display whipped around the roof of the stadium.

Spurs Ladies commentator and broadcaster Lucy Jones tweeted before kick-off: "No matter who you support, this is special for any club. Tears rolling down my face."

Emotional and wonderful'

There were many former Tottenham players present for the occasion, including BBC Sport's Garth Crooks.

"As the fans leave, the stadium takes on a different sense of beauty," said Crooks, who made more than 100 league appearances for the club, after goals by Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen earned Spurs a victory that took them above Arsenal into third in the Premier League.

"As the atmosphere started to build before kick off, it was very exciting and then there was one moment when 17,000 people to our right started to sing in unison.

"It was emotional and it was a wonderful occasion and it's important that Spurs won."

'I'm the happiest guy in the world'

Son, who scored Spurs' first competitive goal at the venue, described Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as "unbelievable".

"It's just amazing. The noise was just so loud," added the South Korean.

"To score the first goal at this stadium. I just want to say to thank you to my team-mates and the fans. I'm the happiest guy in the world.

"White Hart Lane is our history but the new stadium... I can't believe it. To play in it is an amazing feeling. It's a bit different from Wembley. Wembley was not our home."

Striker Harry Kane tweeted after the match: "What a feeling to play and win in our new home."

Edited April 22, 2019 by - Dark
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