Kane downs Dortmund as Spurs end Wembley woe
LONDON: Harry Kane banished Tottenham Hotspur’s Wembley curse as the England striker’s double sealed a 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.
With White Hart Lane being redeveloped, Tottenham are playing their home matches at the English national stadium this season and that had been bad news for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Already scarred by damaging Wembley defeats in the Champions League and FA Cup semi-finals last term, Tottenham had lost to Chelsea and drawn with Burnley this season, sparking alarmist talk that they were jinxed at the hallowed north London venue.
But, after losing eight of their previous 12 matches at Wembley, Kane’s predatory finishing ensured Tottenham finally enjoyed a night to remember in their temporary lodgings.
Son Heung-Min’s first goal of the season put Tottenham ahead early on and, although Andriy Yarmolenko conjured a sublime equaliser, it was the hosts who possessed the killer instinct thanks to Kane’s latest heroics.
Kane, who scored twice in Saturday’s win at Everton, restored Tottenham’s advantage before the interval and wrapped up the victory with his second goal after half-time.
Pitted in a tricky group that also includes holders Real Madrid, Tottenham’s commanding display secured only their third win in 13 Wembley appearances and gave them an early boost in the battle for a place in the knockout stages.
The only blemish for Tottenham was a late sending off for a second bookable offence for Jan Vertonghen, who swung his forearm into Mario Gotze’s face.
“It was so important to win, we are so happy. We increased our level in the second half and were very clinical,” Pochettino said.
“It is more than three points. The team is more mature now. Harry Kane was fantastic.”
Dortmund boss Peter Bosz added: “It’s clear we weren’t properly organised at the back in decisive moments.
“We didn’t cover spaces behind the back four and that was crucial.”
Dortmund arrived in London unbeaten so far this season, but their squad had been ravaged by injuries, with Marco Reus, Raphael Guerreiro, Andre Schurrle and Marcel Schmelzer among the key players sidelined.
It took Tottenham just four minutes to expose the fault lines in Dortmund’s under-strength line-up as Son scored a fine individual goal.
Set free down the left flank, Son drove into the penalty area unchecked by Dortmund’s defence and, with goalkeeper Roman Burki failing to guard his near post, the South Korean smashed a powerful strike into the roof of the net. - AFP