Tottenham Hotspur booked their place in the quarter finals of the Champions League tonight after beating Borussia Dortmund 1-0 away from home.
Heading into the away leg with a 3-0 lead, many expected Tottenham to lose the game but hang on to qualify as winners over the two legs.
However, the Lilywhites defended with passion for the full ninety minutes, and when Harry Kane got his chance, there was no mistake.
Here are five things we learned from the win:
Spurs are through!
The 1-0 win away to Dortmund tonight made it 4-0 on aggregate in the Champions League round of 16. Spurs are now through to the quarter finals for the first time since the Harry Redknapp era, and will be looking to progress further in the competition. Tottenham join Ajax in the final eight, with the other six teams still to be decided.
Turning point
Spurs fans will be praying that this can be a turning point in their season, after a recent run of dropped points in the Premier League. Tottenham have dropped eight points in the last three games alone, and have now been dragged into a fight for the top four. The team will need to start picking up points in the Prem if they are to have another Champions League run next year.
Clinical Kane
It doesn’t matter whether Harry Kane is fit or not, if you give him a one-on-one, he is likely to tuck it away. It wasn’t Kane’s finest display, and he doesn’t look quite up to fitness as of yet, but it is a positive sign that he is still amongst the goals. If Kane can score three in his last four when unfit, imagine what he can do when he is back to his best.
Hugo! Hugo! Hugo!
Hugo Lloris was epic tonight, putting behind the Chelsea horror show a week or so ago. The Frenchman made a number of top class reaction saves through the ninety minutes, earning every cent of his clean sheet. As a shot stopper, Lloris is still up there with the very best, fans will just be hoping that some of his decision making improves.
Defensive performance
This was arguably Tottenham’s best defensive performance of the season, coming after three back-to-back error-filled games. Alderweireld, Sanchez, and Vertonghen were as solid as a back three could possibly be tonight, with Ben Davies and Serge Aurier also being immense as wing backs. Tackles, interceptions, blocks, high lines, passion, determination, and a well-fought clean sheet.
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