Apoel Nicosia vs Tottenham Hotspur, Champions League as it happened: Harry Kane hits sublime hat-trick

Relive Tottenham's important 3-0 win in Cyprus

(Getty Images)

Harry Kane delivered a Champions League masterclass by hitting a hat-trick and leading Tottenham to a 3-0 demolition of Apoel Nicosia.

There are few superlatives left to describe Kane's relentless goalscoring form but the striker broke new ground in Cyprus with his first treble in Europe's premier competition.

A cool first-half finish set Spurs on their way before two in five minutes after the interval rounded off another stellar night for Kane, who trundled off to a standing ovation with 15 minutes left.

His ninth club hat-trick also puts Tottenham in a commanding position to qualify from Group H after Borussia Dortmund's loss at home to Real Madrid leaves the German side six points adrift.

Follow live action below...

What time does the match kick-off?

The game kicks off at 7.45pm (BST) at the wonderfully named Pancyprian Gymnastic Association Stadium.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be screened live on BT Sport ESPN. But if you don’t have a BT Sport package, why not join us for live minute-by-minute coverage?

It’s a big game for…

Harry Winks. With Spurs suffering so many injuries in the centre of midfield, it’s looking likely that Pochettino will hand a rare start to the talented 21-year-old.

Harry Winks is likely to be given the nod in midfield (Getty)

The midfielder enjoyed something of a breakout season last campaign, only to suffer an ankle ligament injury during the club’s away match against Burnley in April. He’s still being eased back into the first-team after recovering from the injury this summer, and this match is a chance for him to stake his claim for a regular place in Pochettino’s line-up.

Player to watch…

Harry Kane. Who else? The Spurs striker has been in superb form and, with Dele Alli suspended, all eyes will be on Kane to see if he can break the deadlock and add to his European tally of 2 goals.

Kane was sensational against Dortmund (Getty)

APOEL are likely to sit deep and defend in numbers so Spurs will need Kane to do something special if they are going to get their noses in front.

Form…

APOEL: DLLWL
Tottenham: WWDWW

Odds…

APOEL to win: 8/1
Tottenham to win: 2/5
Draw: 7/2

[26 September 2017 19:49 · Jack Watson]

2 mins: My word this is a noisy crowd, I've just had to turn down my television. Liverpool's plan to deal with the intimidating atmosphere appears to keep the ball for as long as possible and frustrate their hosts.

[26 September 2017 19:52 · Jack Watson]

5 mins: Philippe Coutinho has taken a deeper role in midfield by name only, he is playing roaming without any restrictions and tries to find Roberto Firmino with a cross but over hits his pass.

[26 September 2017 19:54 · Jack Watson]

7 mins: Emre Can receives the first yellow card after a heavy touch invites him to lunge in on Salvatore Bochetti. I feel like I've seen those given as red cards in the Premier League...

[26 September 2017 19:58 · Jack Watson]

11 mins: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Emre Can and Mohamed Salah combine really well on the right wing and through a series of one-touch flicks set up a chance for Aelxander-Arnold but he drags his shot wide.

[26 September 2017 20:04 · Jack Watson]

16 mins: So close! Sadio Mane, who has started really well, crosses from deep and finds Roberto Firmino who is unmarked on the penalty spot and heads goal bound but the goalkeeper makes an incredible acrobatic save.

[26 September 2017 20:06 · Jack Watson]

Elsewhere in Europe...

As expected, Tottenham have made a really good start against Apoel. Son latches onto a loose ball in the box but his shot is heroically blocked. 

Closer to home, Manchester City are doing well with Kevin De Bruyne pulling all the strings against Shakhtar Donetsk.

[26 September 2017 20:10 · Jack Watson]

Goal!

Spartak Moscow 1-0 Liverpool

21 mins: Philippe Coutinho helps out at the back with an initial clearance but concedes a foul in a central position on the edge of the box. Fernando strikes the free kick over the wall and into the net. The ball went in fairly centrally, questions will be asked of Loris Karius on that one.

[26 September 2017 20:12 · Jack Watson]

24 mins: Trent Alexander-Arnold crosses the ball to Sadio Mane who ran from deep to meet the whipped cross and head into the net. An celebrations are premature as the linesman's flag rules Mane offside.

[26 September 2017 20:15 · Jack Watson]

This week Jurgen Klopp said he could "write a book on defending." Any suggestions for the title? Having said that, historically Liverpool haven't had the best defensive record in the Champions League.

[26 September 2017 20:18 · Jack Watson]

Goal!

Spartak Moscow 1-1 Liverpool

30 mins: What a fantastic team goal that is. A simple one-two with Sadio Mane on the edge of the box gives Philippe Coutinho space in box to slot the ball into the net. Dare I say Barcelona-esque...?