Last night under the Wembley arch there was a moment in the second half where the state of the game suddenly became crystal clear. It should have been clearer way before that, as Tottenham were already 3-0 up and putting on a performance that epitomises what a ‘glory glory night’ is all about and what those rare but oh so perfect occasions mean. However, seeing as it was Real Madrid, you almost didn’t want to think it, say it, or even believe it, but that didn’t make it any less true. This hadn’t even been that hard. It really hadn’t been difficult to put the best team in Europe to the sword. For me anyway, it was the most staggering thing about the game as a whole. When the delirious Spurs fans starting mocking Madrid as their team played the ball around those flustered Galictico’s, you couldn’t help but feel it shouldn’t have been this easy. But it was. Tottenham were hammering Real Madrid, and there was nothing they could do about it.

When the group draw was made it seemed like a sad reality that Spurs and Dortmund would fight it out for second spot whilst the all conquering Madrid would seal progression with ease. Given Tottenham’s winning start to the group, the away trip to the Bernabau could almost have been seen as a freebie. Head over there, and just don’t get humiliated, maybe even play a bit. Who knows,maybe even score. By full time, and with a thoroughly deserved point secured, those Spurs players had done all that and more. They had drawn blood. They had frustrated and agitated true giants of the game. Madrid have struggled this season no doubt, but that took nothing away from the maturity of Tottenham’s performance. And the best thing was that the signs were there that night. The leaky defence and vulnerability on the counter, it was remarkably evident. But you’d be forgiven for thinking Madrid would plug those gaps, and strike down Spurs for having the sheer audacity to compete with them in their own back yard. The return leg at Wembley would represent a chance for Zidane and his side to re assert their dominance in the group, swat Spurs aside and show why they are what they are,European Champions. The best of the best. Mousa Sissoko having his passes Ole’d with Spurs completely out of sight by 70 minutes? Probably not part of the plan, but hey, what were the chances of that?

Everthing Tottenham attempted last night I had confidence they would get right. When they were attacking, I was confident they’d score. It shouldn’t be that way against Real Madrid, but it was. Whenever Madrid came forward, I was confident we’d defend the incoming attack with ease. It shouldn’t be that way against Real Madrid, but it was. The current holders of the Champions League were made to look so ordinary, and it was truly a sight to behold. When replays suggested that the first goal, despite the beauty of its creation, was offside, it barely registered. You’d expect to be thinking that was just the stroke of luck Tottenham needed, seeing as they’d been clinging onto the 0-0 and now had something to hold on to. But I can truly say with confidence that if the goal had been ruled out, I’d have expected us to score on our next attack anyway. That’s how the game felt, that’s how good Spurs were, that’s how average Madrid were, and that’s why it was no surprise when Tottenham went 3-0 up, because the truth is the way they were playing, you could see it coming. It was inevitable. There was zero doubt in my mind Spurs could score 4-5 and hit a score line so chastening that Zidane may as well have resigned before the full time whistle. When Spurs started playing keep ball, and I stopped dreaming of the game finishing 6-0 for a minute, that’s when i truly started to think about what I’d seen so far and began looking beyond the score line. And what hit me hardest? Not that Luka Modric was chasing Harry Winks shadow or that Harry Kane was bullying Sergio Ramos. No it was just how easy this was. Spurs could probably have gone up another gear if they wanted to. I don’t really know if it’s possible to pay them a higher compliment than that given the occasion and the opposition.

How Pochettino has done this I really don’t know. I mean, I do know. He’s shown faith in youth, he’s bought well, he’s coached players to a level above and beyond their limits, he’s taught us how to defend whilst also being able to attack, with neither being to the detriment of the other. He’s shown an incredible tactical awareness and built a squad so capable, so adaptable and so disiplined, whilst also being a manager that players respect and want to play for. So yes, I know how he’s done it. But when you’ve just played Real Madrid off the park, you have to stop and wonder. How has Pochettino done this? Doubters and skeptics will remain until there’s silverware to show for all our progress, and you just hope that this group will stick together and achieve something. Winning the Champions League wouldn’t be bad I guess. We’ve already beaten the best the competition has to offer, so it’s plain sailing from here right?