Dembele: Anderlecht victory was vital

Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele believes the victory against Anderlecht on Thursday will prove crucial in Spurs' bid to progress from Group J to the Europa League knockout phase.

Dembele scored a stunning winner three minutes from time to send Spurs top of their group after Imoh Ezekiel had cancelled out Harry Kane's opener.

The visitors would have been good value for a point but the Belgian's goal moves them a point clear of Monaco with matches against the French side and Qarabag to come.

"It [the goal] was very important, I'm happy we won the game," Dembele told reporters.

"It wasn't easy, the first half was ours I thought but in the second they played much better. It wasn't an easy game and we're happy with the three points.

"We know there are some good teams in our group and we had to win this game - it was an important three points.

"We have a good squad, a big squad, so we want to win everything and it's very important for us to go as far as possible [in the Europa League]."

Dembele's winner will likely steal the headlines but Kane's return to goalscoring form after a difficult start to the campaign will also serve as a boost for Spurs.

"[Kane] is very important for us, even at the beginning [of the season] but now he's scoring as well," Dembele added.