Tottenham took a giant step into the Champions League quarter-finals with a comprehensive 3-0 home win over Borussia Dortmund.
A ferocious yet ultimately fruitless first half was forgotten about barely a minute into the second as the hosts took the lead. Little seemed on when Lucas Moura laid the ball off innocently to Jan Vertonghen but he swung in a superb cross that Son Heung-min side-footed home.
It had been a closely-fought game until then, but the Germans faded thereafter and unexpected gloss was put on the scoreline inside the final 10 minutes when Vertonghen – the game’s best player – stole in to side-foot Spurs 2-0 ahead from Serge Aurier’s cross.
Substitute Fernando Llorente headed in a third goal that could prove the end for the Bundesliga leaders.
GOOD
Jan’s the man: For all the attacking talent in the Spurs ranks, Jan Vertonghen was perhaps surprisingly the one to spark them into life. Surprising to some who don’t watch this side often, but the versatile defender regularly carries an attacking threat.
Occupying a slightly unorthodox left wing-back role here, he foraged forward at every opportunity and was a constant threat, swinging in a devilish cross which Son couldn’t fail to finish. He then expertly finished Aurier’s cross to bury BVB. His four dribbles was the most of any player on the field.
Sancho’s star continues to rise: A plunderer of seven goals and creator of nine more in the Bundesliga this season, Jadon Sancho couldn’t affect the game as he would have wished on his return to his home city – but he still had a quietly effective night.
He nearly set up another goal only for Hugo Lloris to keep out Dan-Axel Zagadou’s header. Otherwise, three dribbles led Dortmund and he was fouled three times too, indicating he was always a thorn in the side. As Spurs’ influence grew in the second half, the teenager faded.
So far, so good.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) 13 February 2019
WHAT. A. NIGHT! #COYS pic.twitter.com/0BAJqczAio
BAD
Low on quality: For a clash of two of Europe’s great entertainers, this opening round-of-16 stanza flattered to deceive in truth. There was plenty for fans and the neutral to savour – this was a full-blooded affair in which plenty of chances were presented to both sides in a game that ebbed and flowed.
Yet that bit of killer instinct – save for Son’s sublime finish and Spurs’ late surge – was sorely lacking.
Dortmund defending: They may be taking Germany by storm with a riveting brand of attacking football, but Dortmund’s frailties at the back are a pressing concern for Lucien Favre. At the weekend they ceded a seven-point lead atop the Bundesliga after letting a 3-0 lead slip against Hoffenheim to draw 3-3.
And late on here they were ravaged by Spurs as a tight tie suddenly looks dead and buried as slack marking allowed the hosts to score two crucial late goals.
TACTICAL TALKING POINT
Vertical Vertonghen: The visitors were the better side in the opening 45, with Sancho in-particular continually getting joy down the right flank. Spurs were playing an insanely high line with Vertonghen often getting caught out.
The solution? Mauricio Pochettino beckoned the Belgian even further forward and he was ultimately rewarded. Dortmund were forced to retreat and Spurs were able to exert more of a grip on the game.
KEY MOMENTS
7th min CHANCE: Dortmund fail to clear and Davinson Sanchez’s towering header finds Moura, who calmly chests the ball down before unleashing a venomous volley that arrows just wide
12th min CHANCE: Christian Pulisic dispossesses the dallying Juan Foyth and fires goalwards, Lloris blocks with his leg
20th min SAVE: Spurs fail to clear and Alex Witsel’s snapshot is gathered safely by Lloris
36th min SAVE: Son gets in down the left and rifles a low shot goalwards, Roman Burki’s boot diverts the ball clear
43rd min SAVE: Zagadou rises high and even though it’s not a clean header, it’s going in and needs clawing out by Lloris
47th min GOAL: Second best in the first half, it took just 70 seconds for Spurs to open the scoring through their star man Son, cushioning in Vertonghen’s pin point cross
83rd min GOAL: Creator of the opener, Vertonghen is now the scorer of a crucial second, an intelligent run gives him the jump on a defender and he steers a sublime finish beyond Burki
83rd min GOAL: On the field mere minutes, has Llorente killed the tie off? Christian Eriksen swings in a corner and the Spaniard glances a simple header into the side netting
VERDICTS
Tottenham: A
Started slowly at Wembley before they finally found their way and ended up blowing a disheveled Dortmund away. They last appeared in the last eight, eight years ago, but they are surely heading there again.
Dortmund: C-
Could have been so different for Dortmund who dominated the early stages but failed to capitalise on the pressure exerted and chances created. Have it all to do but the Yellow Wall at the Westfalionstadion are an intimidating bunch to play in front of.
