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Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho admits Tottenham were better side in Champions League tie but enjoys homecoming

The 18-year-old Sancho was the standout performer in the first half, dribbling dangerously from the right wing and causing problems for Spurs’ defensive three

Lawrence Ostlere

Wednesday 13 February 2019 23:11 GMT

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Mauricio Pochettino hails Spurs as 'heroes' after Dortmund win

Jadon Sancho admitted Borussia Dortmund lost to the better side as they went down 3-0 to Tottenham in their Champions League round-of-16 first leg at Wembley, but said he hoped his performance showed fans “something new about me”.

The 18-year-old Sancho was the standout performer in the first half, dribbling dangerously from the right wing and causing problems for Spurs’ defensive three, but he was largely ineffective in the second as Tottenham ran away with the game.

“Tottenham was the better team,” said Sancho after the final whistle. “First half, we played really well, but second half we dropped a bit and lost focus.”

Jan Vertonghen scored one goal and set up another as he pushed down Sancho’s flank from left wing-back, and the teenager admitted there were lessons to be learned.

“He’s a good player. Next time hopefully we can handle him a bit more.”

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

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1/22Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Hugo Lloris - 7

Crucial saves throughout the game, especially from a Zagadou header in the first half that Spurs needed.

AFP/Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Toby Alderweireld - 8

Spurs needed his experience tonight, blocking off Dortmund in their own box, hitting those famous long balls as well as being a threat from set pieces, not least with the near-post run as Llorente scored the third.

PA

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Davinson Sanchez - 6

Tied up in knots by Sancho in the first half but it did not shake him, and otherwise did well, especially when he had the ball at his feet.

Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Juan Foyth - 6

Confident on the ball on his Champions League return. He nearly played Spurs into trouble, but more often than not he helped them to build from the back and play their game.

Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Jan Vertonghen - 9

Eyebrows were raised when he played at left wing-back but he could hardly have done better than this. Solid in defence and relentless going forward, providing the cross for Son’s opening goal before scoring that crucial second late on.

PA

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Serge Aurier - 5

Got the nod over Kieran Trippier and it was not clear why he was, until that brilliant searching cross with eight minutes left to pick out Vertonghen’s run into the box.

Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Moussa Sissoko - 6

Looked lost at first but grew into the game as Dortmund tired in the second half, continuing to run hard as Spurs finally wore them down

EPA

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Harry Winks - 7

Another big performance on a big game, Winks never stopped moving and showing for the ball, keeping Spurs ticking in midfield all night.

EPA

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Christain Eriksen - 7

Unusually quiet in the first half but he started the move for Son’s goal and he grew in confidence as the second half went on, before hitting the corner for Llorente’s crucial third as Spurs turned the screw.

REUTERS

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Son Heung-min - 7

Made up for a frustrating first half by scoring that crucial volley after the break, drifting behind Zagadou before finishing cleverly, turning the game in the process. Never let Dortmund rest with his incisive movement.

PA

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Lucas Moura - 6

Volleyed wide early on and then had to do plenty of selfless running for the team. A good night’s work even if , as an individual, he did not have much to show for it.

Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Roman Burki - 5

A quiet night in the first half but had no response as Spurs upped the tempo after that. Could do nothing about any of Spurs three goals.

AFP/Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Achraf Hakimi - 5

Dangerous when he did get forward but too often looked constrained, staying back in his half. Caught sleeping by Vertonghen when Spurs took the lead

(Credit too long, see caption)

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Omer Toprak - 4

Could only watch as the Dortmund defence melted away in the second half, most crucially when Jan Vertonghen burst past him to thump in that decisive second goal.

PA

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Dan-Axel Zagadou - 3

Nearly put Dortmund ahead with a first-half header and then crucially lost Son for Spurs’ opener. That could be the crucial moment in the tie and Dortmund paid for his moment of inexperience.

AFP/Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Abdou Diallo - 4

A solid start became a nightmare for the Dortmund defence, not least when Diallo lost Llorente for that clever little near post nod for Spurs’ third goal.

AFP/Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Mahmoud Dahoud - 5

Worked hard at linking things together but Dortmund could have done with more energy from midfield and runners to help out their front men.

PA

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Axel Witsel - 5

Like Delaney, he looked like a crucial calming presence in front of the Dortmund defence, giving them the early upper hand in midfield, only to see all his good work go to waste.

PA

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Thomas Delaney - 5

Gave Dortmund that solid base alongside Witsel in the first half and will be frustrated that the rest of his team-mates could not build on it.

Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Jadon Sancho - 7

The most exciting player in the first half, he lit up a dull opening with his quick feet, turning Davinson Sanchez inside and out. Could have done with his team-mates showing the same ambition.

REUTERS

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Christian Pulisic - 4

Got into good positions in both halves but could never take advantage of them, as if he were just lacking the confidence to make the difference when it mattered.

AFP/Getty Images

Jack Pitt-Brooke's Tottenham vs Borussia Dortmund player ratings

Mario Gotze - 5

Clever links and touches from the front but never looked like a natural centre-forward. How Dortmund could have done with someone else to lead the line instead.

AP

Of his return to his hometown, Sancho added: “I’m just happy in england playing in front of my family.

“I hope I showed the audience something new about me. I’m just happpy to be home. It’s a nice feeling. “

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