Mauricio Pochettino hails 'clinical' Tottenham after Harry Kane's hat-trick seals crucial Champions League win

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has praised his side’s clinical finishing after a Harry Kane hat-trick against Apoel Nicosia made it two wins from two in the Champions League.

Kane, who scored his ninth treble of his Spurs career with just three shots on target in Cyprus, eased fears after some close calls with their hosts testing Hugo Lloris on a number of occasions.

Having watched on in recent weeks when his side struggled to break down the likes of Swansea and Barnsley, Pochettino was delighted to see his players’ making the most of their chances.

“It is true [that we were clinical],” Pochettino told BT Sport.

“I am happy because sometimes in some games you maybe dominate and create a lot of chances – like with Swansea – and you cannot score.

“Today we were very clinical in front of the goal, which is always good.”

Speaking after the match, hat-trick hero Kane reflected on what has been a positive start to Tottenham's Champions League campaign.

"It's a very proud night for myself and obviously the team as well," he told BT Sport.

"The first one was a close one, I'm not sure if it was offside or not but Toby's (Alderweireld) played a great ball in, I've touched it inside and I was always going to take it on with my left foot.

"The two in the second half, Moussa (Sissoko)'s cut back a great ball and in those kind of positions it's all about the touch and the touch was kind of perfect and that set me up and I stroked it home.

"The last one was an unbelievable delivery from Tripps (Kieran Trippier) and I made the run late into the box and I was happy to see it go in."

Spurs now sit level with Real Madrid on six points in Group H, with Borussia Dortmund and Apoel on zero, as they prepare to play the Spanish giants back-to-back in the Group Stage.