5 things we learnt from Tottenham Hotspur's UEFA Champions League clash against APOEL FC 

Tottenham Hotspur visited APOEL FC last night, in the 2nd fixture of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

In the end, Spurs were comfortable winners in Cyprus last night as they beat the hosts APOEL FC 3-0. However, it was not an easy affair for Spurs as they finished the first half with a marginal 1-0 lead against APOEL FC against the run of play.

APOEL created their fair share of chances in both the halves. But, it was not to be their night. It was Kane who led Spurs to victory as he scored a hat-trick against the Cypriot club. Here is a look at five takeaways for Spurs from the Cyprus clash:

---

1) Real Madrid defenders will have to pay special attention to Harry Kane

Harry Kane seems to have rediscovered his lethal form

While Spurs’ striker has time and again shown his quality, the ease with which he scored his sixth hat-trick of 2017 last night, proved that he is a special player. He found the back of APOEL’s net with his precision strikes.

He had three shots on target and hit the target on all three occasions. The 100% accuracy shows Kane’s class as a player. When Spurs lineup against the competition's reigning and defending champions - Real Madrid on October 18, the Los Blancos’ defenders will have to contain the dangerous Kane, if they want to claim all the three points against Spurs.

Meanwhile, Spurs would need to do everything they can to provide space for Kane to make an impact on the game.

2) Spurs may have to switch to a back four

Defending the citadel

Although the scoreline 3-0 indicates that Spurs cruised against APOEL, that was not the case. On many occasions, APOEL's forwards had Spurs on the ropes.

The Cypriot club even came close to taking a 1-0 lead when Igor De Camargo’s fierce left-footed strike rebounded off the crossbar in the 19th minute.

Although the likes of Alderweireld, Sanchez and Davies (Jan Vertonghen is facing a one-match suspension following red card) are all quality players, and were marshalling Spurs’ defence, the backline seems stretched on occasions.

However, when Spurs brought on a striker, Fernando Llorente, in place of the full-back Serge Aurier, Spurs’ formation switched to 4-4-2 and the backline looked more relaxed, prompting many to believe that it is a necessary change for games in the near future.

3) Harry Winks is one for future

Harry Winks - The promise of youth

Tottenham made the trip to Cyprus with many absentees; some due to suspension, and some due to injuries. Among the notable absentees was the midfielder Mousa Dembele, who was out due to a foot injury.

However, no Mousa, no problem, as in came the 21-year-old Harry Winks. The youngster put together an eye-catching performance. At some points, he showed his control and acceleration with the ball as he carried the ball forward despite APOEL’s midfielders surrounding him.

At other points, he made great runs to join the backline and make crucial clearances to rescue the backline from any lurking dangers. He shined with his work-rate throughout the game.

4) Hugo Lloris can also be culpable of losing focus

It is human to err

It is difficult to imagine the French international Hugo Lloris making a mistake. But, last night’s match reminded us all that Lloris is also a human. The incident occurred in the 37th minute, as Lloris came out to clear a long ball.

But, the clearance rebounded off the Colombian international Davinson Sanchez who was also giving chase to the ball. The ball was menacingly moving in the direction of Spurs’ goalmouth after the rebound.

However, luck favoured Spurs and Lloris as the ball was just out of reach of the onrushing APOEL striker Roland Sallai and went out of play for a corner.

5) Toby Alderweireld's passing is above par

Toby Alderweireld's passing was on point last night

It was the Belgian defender’s sublime through ball in the 39th minute that unlocked APOEL’s defence. Harry Kane had the ball at his feet and the goal at his mercy with only APOEL’s goalkeeper Boy Waterman standing in his way.

We all know Kane’s capability to do the rest and he did it with aplomb giving Spurs 1-0 lead. Throughout the game, Alderweireld kept sending accurate long passes from the back that served the purpose when the midfield looked choked by APOEL players.

No wonder, that Alderweireld has an average passing accuracy of 79% in the Champions League and an average passing accuracy of 87% in English Premier League, where he has played more games.