Tottenham’s Harry Kane may be benched for Anderlecht

DF Mousa Dembele, 6: After a fine display against Liverpool on Saturday, there were more stylish touches here but he looked too relaxed and could have done more to take control of the game.

Spurs have now won just one of their last eight away fixtures in the Europa League and they now sit second in Group J level with Anderlecht on four points, one behind leaders Monaco but only one clear of Qarabag. They failed to capitalise when dominant and missed chances at crucial times, with Harry Kane wasting a glorious opportunity before Anderlecht’s 69th minute victor.

Kane is a top player and we will have to be on our guard against him.

‘We create chances in every game but our scoring isn’t at our best level so I think that is something we have to improve. “It looks easy but sometimes this happens and for that we are very disappointed, not only with the result but also the performance”.

“When you are the better team after 10 minutes and you believe you can win the game, you need to win the game”.

“We’re under pressure now”. I fancy the North Londoners to come home with all three points this evening.

“The Europa League is very important for us and we want to do as well as we can”, he was quoted as saying by his club’s site.

As a potential pathway to the Champions League this frequently maligned competition has become more attractive and Pochettino could not be accused of taking it lightly.

It was Eriksen who struck the opener, slotting calmly past Proto from 12 yards after Kara’s attempted clearance came straight off Leander Dendoncker’s face and fell kindly into his path.

Spurs were so dominant in the early stages it was threatening to be a stroll on the border of Astrid Park.

However, Guillaume Gillet was somehow left alone at a corner to equalise in the 13th minute and while both sides had chances in an open and entertaining contest, it was Anderlecht who got the decisive victor. Suddenly the game had been turned on its head, Anderlecht’s demanding supporters growing increasingly louder. Clinton N’Jie, making his first Spurs start, is leading the line, with Eriksen, Lamela and Townsend supporting.

Anderlecht’s victor was wonderfully worked, starting with a sublime pass from Ivan Obradovic which released Frank Acheamong into the area. Spurs still have it all to do.

Standings: Lokomotiv Moscow 6; Besiktas 4; Sporting Lisbon 1; Skenderbeu 0.

The Danish playmaker made no mistake soon after as he collected possession following a fortuitous rebound and tucked the ball past Silvio Proto to put Spurs ahead inside five minutes. Substitutes: Vorm (g), Rose, Wimmer, Winks.