Tottenham Take Positives from Dortmund Exit, Switch Focus to Premier League

Tottenham are officially out of the Europa League after a tepid 2-1 second-leg defeat to Borussia Dortmund. 

After a 3-0 hammering a week earlier, this was little more than a formality, and there was evidently scant belief in a miracle among the playing group. 

Ryan Mason admitted to BT Sport (h/t Goal.com) after the match that "the first leg killed us. The tie was over."

Before the match, White Hart Lane was rocking, and there was all the potential for a famous European night. But Tottenham played within themselves, and Dortmund easily added to their aggregate lead.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goal was sensational, but he was afforded far too much room and allowed time to craft an unstoppable shot. 

Once Dortmund added an away goal to the three they scored at home, the task was beyond any side in Europe. Mauricio Pochettino seemed fully aware, leaving Harry Kane on the bench and withdrawing Dele Alli and Erik Lamela with plenty of time to play. 

Pochettino was deservedly criticised for sacrificing Spurs' European campaign so meekly, but, regardless of whether it was the right decision, the die is cast. 

Tottenham's season is already a success. Pochettino has carved out one of his club's best Premier League campaigns, and, barring an historic collapse, they are headed back to the Champions League. 

Spurs' aspirations as a club have undoubtedly shifted across this season. The influence of surprisingly poor campaigns by Chelsea and, to a lesser extent, Liverpool and Manchester United, compelled Tottenham to aim higher than the realistic pre-season goal of fifth place.

Failure to win the Premier League from this point should not be considered a disappointment.

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It would be remarkable to finish ahead of the aforementioned giants, as well as Arsenal and Manchester City, but still fail to lift the league trophy. 

Pochettino made Spurs' aspirations quite clear when he rotated heavily for the first leg of the Dortmund tie: He and his club are targeting that elusive league title. 

When Tottenham were last champions of England, there was little indication that it would be their last for over half a century. It followed their previous title by just 10 years and was won with historic aplomb. That team still holds the record (31) for most wins in a top-flight season. 

Jimmy Greaves had not yet even joined the club for whom he would score 220 league goals. 

They failed to defend their title by four points and have rarely been so close since. 

This season is the best opportunity that Spurs, and indeed Leicester City, have had for decades to win the title. 

It is unlikely that Arsenal, currently occupying third place, can overhaul both Spurs and Leicester with just eight games remaining. 

Leicester must collect 20 points to be assured of holding off the challenge of Tottenham, but that will probably be unnecessary. With Spurs still to travel to Stamford Bridge and Anfield as well as host Manchester United, the north London side will undoubtedly drop some points. 

The good news is that, having dropped out of both the FA Cup and Europa League, Tottenham are no longer at a fixture disadvantage to the league leaders. 

It is an eight-game sprint with Leicester holding a five-point advantage. 

With Tottenham's fate outside of their control, pressure is limited.

No team in English history has held such a lead and been run down, but, as has been so often elucidated this season, Leicester are atypical front-runners. They have enjoyed a season utterly without pressure, but that will change now. 

According to Oddschecker, the Foxes are hugely favoured in the betting markets, and, while the media narrative has been friendly until now, there will be the added pressure of spotlight. 

A team that have been outsiders for 30 games, Leicester must prove that they can flourish as front-runners. 

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They've wobbled in recent matches, and fortune rather than form rescued them against both Newcastle and Watford. 

A difficult trip to Selhurst Park looms as yet another test but could stretch Leicester's lead to eight points before Spurs return to action against Bournemouth. 

Regardless of Leicester's result against Palace, Tottenham must beat the Cherries and build momentum for the final stretch. 

Pochettino's team selection in the first leg was aimed at ensuring that Spurs' Europa League campaign ended at the round of 16 stage in order to husband resources for the Premier League. 

The first part of the plan was, more or less, successful, and now it's time to show that it was the right call.