The early signs from Christian Pulisic were good. It took the American, who will join Chelsea in the summer following a £58million deal, just 12 minutes to have his opposite number Serge Aurier in the book after a wonderful touch and turn of pace left the Spurs full-back no choice but to bring him down.
There continued to be first half flashes. Quick exchanges with Mario Gotze and Jadon Sancho in and around the Tottenham box had many concerned and, were it not for the efforts of Toby Alderweireld, he may well have had Dortmund ahead after a mistake from Juan Foyth.
Going in at the break it looked as if Spurs were set to once again fall short on a big night, but a remarkable second half showing from the hosts turned the tide of the tie and diminished the influence of Pulisic.
The driving runs down the left began to fall shorter and shorter of causing any trouble as Harry Winks dropped in to keep tabs on the boy wonder. Ever Aurier began to control him.
In Pictures | Tottenham vs Dortmund | 13/02/2019
It is difficult given the exposure Pulisic has had since such a young age, but it must be remembered that Chelsea’s new hope is still just 20. There were brief moments of brilliance, but anyone watching on from Stamford Bridge will be hoping that the second leg will bring far more for them to get excited about.
