Moussa Dembele has claimed that his late winner in Tottenham Hotspur's 2-1 victory at home to Anderlecht on Thursday could prove "very important" in their Europa League journey.

The second-half substitute volleyed home from outside the area on 88 minutes as Spurs moved top of Group J, one point clear of Monaco and three ahead of Qarabag and Anderlecht.

The Belgians initially drew level through Imoh Ezekiel on 72 minutes following Harry Kane's first-half opener, and the Spurs midfielder is delighted with the Lilywhites' resolve on a night which saw them regularly threatened.

"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]."

Mauricio Pochettino's troops now gear up for a visit to North London rivals Arsenal on Sunday.