Spurs boss delighted with team after seeing them produce a superb performance to defeat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 at Wembley Stadium

Mauricio Pochettino admitted Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in Group H of the Champions League was so much more important than just the three points on offer.

Heung-min Son gave Spurs the perfect start at Wembley by firing the hosts in front after just four minutes.

Andriy Yarmolenko equalised for Dortmund in the 11th minute, as both teams started at a frantic pace, but there was still time for another goal before the quarter hour mark.

Harry Kane produced a moment of brilliance on the left before drilling past Roman Burki and he added another after the break, as Tottenham began their European term with a superb victory.

Pochettino said: “I think it was massive to start in that way and to win the three points today means more than three points.

“It’s difficult to explain because many things happened around the team, but I think it was so important to get the three points.

“We were up against a fantastic side like Borussia Dortmund, they played very well and have unbelievable players, so I think it’s massive for our confidence.

“The win is massive because it will help us against everyone and look we need time to improve, time to learn and be better because we are only early in the season, but we are happy.

“It’s true that the game was so tough and they dominated it, so it was tough in the first half, but we were very clinical and I felt in the second half we then increased our level and then the game was under control.

“But it was tough and it is important to win when you don’t dominate the opponent because you show different strengths in the team.”

Spurs appeared to come of age at Wembley with a mature performance and one which is in contrast to last season.

There were moments of fortune with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finding the net in the second half, but seeing his effort incorrectly ruled out.

It would have made the score 2-2, but Tottenham quickly added a third and saw out the rest of the match fairly comfortable.

Perhaps the only sour note of the evening was the red card shown to Jan Vertonghen in stoppage time.

After a colossal performance the Belgium defender, he was harshly adjudged to have elbowed Dortmund substitute Mario Gotze in the face.

Referee Gianluca Rocchi immediately pulled out a second yellow and Pochettino felt sorry for Vertonghen.

He added: “I think we need to see it again because I don’t think it was the intention of Jan and that is what he told us.

“But then I don’t know. I think his performance was really good and it was a little bit of a shame to receive the second yellow card.”

The red couldn’t sour what was a fantastic evening for Tottenham, as they delivered one of their best results in recent times.

Pochettino’s men will face plenty more challenge in recent months, but they passed this one with flying colours.