Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Fernando Llorente says he has no plans to leave Tottenham Hotspur , and that he was “dreaming” of his goal against Borussia Dortmund , for what it represented.
That strike in the 3-0 win marked the first time since joining Spurs that the Spanish striker had come off the bench to score, something he was partly signed to do, in providing that alternative option.
Llorente’s goal here all but sent Spurs on their way to the Champions League last 16.
“To be honest, I was dreaming of that goal. This season and last season, I was on the bench a lot of the time, and always I tried to score.
“It had been a while since I'd come off the bench to score, so it was satisfying, and all the more so that it was Champions League.
Show all 22 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
“The important thing is to help whenever I'm called upon, and keep working hard.”
And he maintains that will be at Tottenham, despite interest from former club Athletic Bilbao.
“I don't know anything. The truth is I'm very satisfied here in Spurs, I haven't thought about leaving. I'm at a great club, I still have a contract, and my intention is to win trophies here. Right now, I'm enjoying a good moment, and I hope I can keep scoring goals and everything keeps going well.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies