Mousa Dembele scored a stunning late winner as Tottenham beat Anderlecht 2-1 to move top of Group J in the Europa League.

A compelling contest at White Hart Lane looked to be heading for a draw after Harry Kane’s first half finish was canceled out by Imoh Ezekiel, but Dembele sealed victory in the 87th minute with a superb strike into the top corner. The victory is Tottenham’s third in a row in all competitions and means Mauricio Pochettino’s side move one point clear of Monaco with two group games left to play.

Kane was one of four Spurs players to be named in Roy Hodgson’s England squad earlier on Thursday — along with Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Kyle Walker — and the striker continued his recent return to form, scoring his fifth goal in three games with a smart shot in the first half. It was Dembele, however, who grabbed the spotlight, coming off the bench to seal a dramatic win with the north London derby against Arsenal to come on Sunday.

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Tottenham have struggled to juggle the Europa League with their top-four ambitions in recent seasons, but Pochettino resisted the temptation to rest players ahead of the crunch match at the Emirates, as only Danny Rose, Walker and Dembele dropped out of the starting lineup.

A year ago on Wednesday, Anderlecht came from three down to draw 3-3 against Arsenal in the Champions League, but only five of that team started at White Hart Lane, with star midfielder Dennis Praet a key absentee with a thigh strain.

The visitors looked no less dangerous early on, however, with bruising center forward Stefano Okaka twice running between Tottenham’s defense in the opening four minutes, with the second occasion needing a last-ditch challenge from Jan Vertonghen to deny the finish. Steven Defour continued Anderlecht’s fast start with a fizzing shot, which Hugo Lloris tipped over the bar, then a quick one-two allowed Youri Tielemans to drive inches wide of the post.

Spurs were struggling to cope with their opponents’ pace and movement in the first 25 minutes but they needed only one chance to take the lead just before the half-hour. Okaka had riled the home fans by delaying play with a head injury, but with the striker off the field, Tottenham pounced, as Christian Eriksen flicked into the path of Kane, who finished first time into the left corner.

Anderlecht’s early enthusiasm quickly dissipated as Spurs enjoyed the ascendancy either side of halftime, and Erik Lamela twice could have doubled the home side’s lead on the break, but first Alli failed to play the final pass and then when Kane did set the Argentinian free he got the ball caught under his feet.

Eriksen was replaced by Son Heung-min just before the hour, the South Korean returning from six weeks out with a foot problem, and moments later Ben Davies crashed a dipping volley against the crossbar.

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The contest was opening up, however, and as Tottenham let their intensity drop, Anderlecht capitalized, with Ezekiel nipping between Davies and Vertonghen before steering the ball past Lloris for pull the game level.

The game looked to be heading for a draw but substitute Dembele had other ideas as Son teed the ball up perfectly on the edge of the box and the midfielder crashed a stunning strike into the top left-hand corner.

Tottenham’s demanding week now boasts two wins out of two, with the most important hurdle to come in the derby.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham
Hugo Lloris: 8 (out of 10)
Kieran Trippier: 6
Toby Alderweireld: 7
Jan Vertonghen: 6
Ben Davies: 6
Eric Dier: 6
Ryan Mason: 6
Erik Lamela: 7
Dele Alli: 6
Christian Eriksen: 7
Harry Kane: 8

Substitutes
Son Heung-min: 7
Mousa Dembele: 8
Josh Onomah: 7

STAR MAN

Erik Lamela. The Argentine looks a far more mature player this year and while his performance at White Hart Lane was certainly not faultless, his industry and creativity is becoming a key part of this Tottenham team.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Mousa Dembele’s 87th minute winner. The midfielder has now scored three goals in as many games for Tottenham and this was certainly the pick of the bunch, driving the ball brilliantly into the top left hand corner to seal all three points for his side.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Mauricio Pochettino gambled by naming a strong side despite Sunday’s North London derby against Arsenal, but it paid off as Tottenham took charge of Group J with a valuable win. Son Heung-min came off the bench to play for the first time in almost six weeks after recovering from a foot problem.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Late goals almost cost Tottenham again. Pochettino’s side had twice thrown away points in the competition already conceding in the last 20 minutes and it would have happened again were it not for Dembele’s late intervention.

WHO’S UP NEXT?

Arsenal vs. Tottenham, (Premier League, Sunday Nov. 8)

Kane hopes Spurs can maintain their momentum to secure a place in the knock-out stage.

He said on BT Sport Europe:

“In the second half, Anderlecht came out and made it tough for us, but they are a great team. However, it was great for Mousa to pull a finish out of the bag and get the three points.

“It is a very tight group, we still have a lot to do.

“Qarabag away will be a tough game and then it is Monaco at home, so hopefully we can win our next game then get the job done.”