Spurs beat CSKA to wrap up third place

Tottenham Hotspur secured third place in UEFA Champions League Group E and qualification for the UEFA Europa League thanks to an ultimately comfortable 3-1 triumph against CSKA Moskva at Wembley.

• Match as it happened

When Alan Dzagoev put the Russian side in front against the run of play, it looked as if Tottenham's Wembley curse would strike again, but efforts from Dele Alli and Harry Kane ensured the dominant hosts went in a goal to the good at the break.

Heung-Min Son and Kane had chances to add a third in the second period, before CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev deflected Alli's header into his own net to round off a fine Tottenham display and ensure European football for Spurs in the new year.

Key player: Dele Alli
The England midfielder was influential, twice going close in the first half before producing a fine finish to level proceedings for his side and helping to round off the victory late on. Allowed plenty of space between the lines, Alli was a constant menace in and around the box.

Harry Kane again found the back of the net©Getty Images

Spurs up their game
When they went a goal down early on, it seemed Tottenham's struggles at the national stadium would continue. Mauricio Pochettino's team responded well to the setback, however, revealing a maturity that should serve them well in any tough upcoming tests in the UEFA Europa League.

Reporter's view: Daniel Thacker (@UEFAcomDanielT)
This was a good result for Spurs and, perhaps more importantly for Pochettino, it was Tottenham's best European performance of the season. The north Londoners showed the guile, patience and nous that had been lacking in their European campaign so far; with much-improved finishing also sealing a deserved win. It all bodes well for more European football in the spring.