WE’RE TOP DOGS NOW
Spurs can join Euro elite
JAN VERTONGHEN admits it is getting harder for Spurs to claim they are underdogs.
Tottenham produced a performance to make their rivals sit up and take note by demolishing Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund 3-0 to put one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
That they did it without two of their best players – Harry Kane and Dele Alli – made the victory all the more impressive.
Spurs have also managed to remain in the Premier League title race.
And Vertonghen, scorer of the first of two late goals against Dortmund, said: “Everyone playing in the Champions League now, they look at each other and see how strong teams are.
“Results like this doesn’t help us to be the underdog. We are very pleased with the result, and are in a great position for the away game now.”
Spurs’ win – patient, clinical and eventually convincing – was the sort of victory produced routinely by Champions League veterans.
Belgium defender Vertonghen added: “It’s four years in a row now we’re in the Champions League. Games like last year, Real Madrid and Juventus, they help us so much, with the experience.
“Dortmund were a better side in the first half but no one panicked at half-time.
“We won the four previous Premier League games at a very late stage. We kept that in mind and kept believing in our qualities and it paid off.”
In the absence of Kane and Alli, Heungmin Son has stepped up and taken on the role of Tottenham talisman.
The South Korean kick-started their second-half goal spree on Wednesday by scoring for the fourth game running.
Vertonghen, who surprisingly featured at left wing-back at Wembley, said: “Sonny has stepped up and scored so many goals since Harry got injured.
“I’ve played with some great players and against some great players and Sonny is special, he’s so humble.
“He can play striker, left wing, right wing, he can play as a No.10.
“He is so loved in the dressing room. He gets on with everyone and you can see why. He is a great player to have around.”