'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQb/2gAIAQEAAAAAEn//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAACf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAD//xAAjEAABAwMCBwAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwQSAAEGBRQRFiEiUoGy/9oACAEBAAE/AGGH40o3U3WmHLiJTTXIfMfqBVyAR94PWoAXWwbKxR9yr//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEv/aAAgBAgEBPwCmf//EABkRAAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAAQMRIf/aAAgBAwEBPwA5jx7X/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Champions League second match-day had a mouth-watering clash for the fans. Borussia Dortmund visited Tottenham in what was a clash of two exciting teams. With both the teams looking to start the campaign on a positive note, it was the home side who emerged as the winners in the clash.
An early goal from Son and a brace from Kane saw Spurs bag the first three points at Wembley. Although, the match ended on a sad note, with Vertonghen being red carded in stoppage time for hitting Mario Goetze in the face.
Andriy Yarmolenko pulled a goal back for Dortmund with a beautiful curler from outside the box.
Here are five talking points from the exciting clash on Champions League matchday 2.
#5: Tottenham closed the spaces
Tottenham started the first half with a tight defence. They crowded the centre and made it difficult for Dortmund to pass through the middle. The little space left by Spurs in the middle forced Dortmund to play through the flanks.
Pulisic and Yarmolenko were mostly involved in the first half. Although Tottenham's tight-knit midfield saw Dortmund take the maximum possession of the game, Mauricio Pochettino's tactics were spot-on, as Dortmund's inability to cope-up with Spurs' blistering counter-attacks saw them concede two early goals.
#4: Pulisic showed great maturity
Christian Pulisic showed great promise for Borussia Dortmund, as he made some exciting dribbles through the flanks. As stated earlier, Dortmund were forced to play through the flanks, with Pulisic being involved in most of the attacks in the first half.
The 18-year-old made a particular mark when he ran from 15 yards into the box and passed the ball in line to Aubameyang. But, it was Tottenham skipper who changed the course of the ball by deflecting it.
The American wide-man was anonymous in the second half, with Dortmund playing mostly on the right. He did a great job on two occasions with a dribble and a cross. But, the crosses were too wide to catch, Although he has great room for improvement. Pulisic would have been a major threat in the second-half if Serge Aurier was absent.
#3: Kane is well and truly back to his best
Tottenham fans will be relieved to see Harry Kane firing on all cylinders after scoring three goals in the last two matches. After a slow start to the season, the English striker opened his scoring account in a 3-0 win versus Everton this past weekend.
And, on the Champions League night, it was Kane's brace that proved to be the difference between the two sides. He was great on fall-backs and defending corners for Tottenham in a tight first-half. Kane's first-half strike on a blistering counter-attack in the 15th minute saw Tottenham take the lead for the second time after Andriy Yarmolenko had equalised with a sublime effort.
In the second-half, Pochettino's decision to grant more freedom to the attackers paid off. Kane scored his second on the night after being set-up by Christian Eriksen, killing off the game. The Englishman also set-up Son in the penalty box, only for the latter to shoot it wide. He scored two goals with two shots on target.
#2: Serge Aurier was impressive on his debut
Serge Aurier put in an outstanding performance for Spurs, by showing great determination and dedication throughout the game. Although his dedication was at times a bit over the top after a rash first-half tackle on Nuri Sahin, the Ivorian was highly responsible for neutralising Dortmund's attacks on the flanks.
Aurier did a great job in holding Dortmund wide-man Christian Pulisic. Also, he and Eriksen created a stand-out occasion after pulling the ball out of a tight spot on the away line. Aurier also made a deft through pass to set up Son, only to find the Korean being called offside.
The Ivorian was equally good at tracking back as he was going forward. All in all, it was a great debut performance for him.
#1: Mauricio Pochettino's tactics were spot-on
Mauricio Pochettino successfully outclassed Dortmund boss Peter Bosz, as Tottenham emerged the better team.
Defence is the best form of attack. That's what it looked like when Spurs played the first-half against Dortmund. Though the Germans enjoyed maximum possession, the English side proved to be better, owing to their clinical counter-attacking skills.
When they entered the second half, Pochettino reversed his philosophy. He allowed his players more freedom to attack, in order to defend their one goal lead by playing on the front-foot. Tottenham mainly relied on the long balls to free up the forwards to set up goals and evade the Dortmund press.
And, the players didn't disappoint. Christians Eriksen's assist for Harry Kane saw the Londoner's bag the three points.
