Dele Alli: 'We know we are a great team,' says Tottenham midfielder despite Borussia Dortmund defeat

Dele Alli insists Tottenham's Europa League humbling will be forgotten if they go on to win the Premier League.

Spurs suffered a chastening 5-1 aggregate defeat to Borussia Dortmund after going down 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Thursday night.

But they remain in the hunt for a first league title since 1961, lying five points behind leaders Leicester with eight games remaining.

Boss Mauricio Pochettino again rotated his squad for the tie against the German side, but Alli knows that policy will be vindicated if they overhaul the Foxes.

"We know we are a great team," said the England midfielder."We can't let this dishearten us. We've got to keep the form we've had in the Premier League and carry on until the end of the season.

"If we win the league this will be forgotten.

"It's a bit of a blow for the confidence but it's important that we keep our heads up and in the next game get the three points and get back on track.

"We are second in the league, five points behind Leicester. It's important we don't think about that too much and don't get carried away too much with ourselves.

"It's just about taking each game as it comes and hopefully being up there at the end of the season."

Two goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ensured there was to be no miracle comeback for Spurs, who were 3-0 down after the first leg, before Son Heung-min hit a late consolation for the hosts.

It was Tottenham's 10th outing in the Europa League this season, with Pochettino's men having travelled close to 11,000 miles, and Alli says they will be better for the experience next season.

"We are a young team, and it was a great learning curve for a lot of the players," he added. "I'm still 19 and have got a lot to learn and this is a great club to do that with.

"I've played in a lot of the Europa League games and I've learned something new in every game so it's been good.

"There have been a lot of great experiences for me and to be doing it with these boys and such a young team is a great achievement, and I am looking forward to next season."

PA