Tottenham 3 Inter Milan 0: We’re not through yet, warns Andre Villas-Boas

Andre Villas-Boas warned Tottenham’s place in the Europa League quarter-finals is still to be secured despite their emphatic last-16 first-leg victory over Inter Milan.

Gareth Bale scored the opener for the north London side inside six minutes at White Hart Lane, with the 23-year-old heading Gylfi Sigurdsson’s cross past Samir Handanovic.

The former Reading man was next to beat Inter keeper, as the Iceland international reacted quickly to follow up a rebound after Jermain Defoe’s effort was parried.

Inter offered very little going forward despite Antonio Cassano’s constant endeavour, and Villas-Boas’s side took a giant stride towards the last eight thanks to Jan Vertonghen’s header in the 53rd minute, sealing a 3-0 win.

“It was a full 90-minute performance with excellent attacking football, reducing their chances and it was a great European night,” Villas-Boas told ITV.

“We are not through yet and the San Siro is a difficult place to go.

Bale’s yellow card for simulation in the first half ruled the winger out of the second leg next Thursday, but Villas-Boas is confident his side can cope in the winger’s absence.

“Gareth Bale is missing but we have the talent in the squad to cope with it,” added the Spurs boss.

Bale expressed his delight to score his 10th goal in 10 games and help Spurs take a commanding lead to Italy.

“We played well and set the tempo from the start and made sure we made it difficult for them and it was a worthy result. It is nice to get a goal and we take a good lead into the away leg.”