Igor Tudor explains anger after securing first win as Tottenham manager against Atletico Madrid

Many expected Spurs to be blown away, especially given how they collapsed spectacularly against the same opponents just a weeks ago.

But there have been signs of improvement in recent games and they were deserved victors on the night, with Xavi Simons scoring twice and Randal Kolo Muani also on target.

It was a big moment for Tudor, who has struggled to get the best from his players ever since replacing Thomas Frank in the dugout last month.

And he admitted that he was so determined to win that he lost his cool towards the end of the contest as Atletico launched one last counter attack.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, the former Juventus and Marseille boss said: "I agree, I agree it was important. That's why I was angry about the counter attack in the last minute.

"We go with nine... I got a little bit angry there because in the last minute at least you wanted to take this, but I understand the players wanted to score a goal.

"It was nice in the end to at least take the victory. What you said, it's important also for the morale."

Tottenham have now managed to avoid defeat in their last two matches.

And Tudor thinks hard work is finally paying off.

"You work, you work, you work, and then there is a game that shows what you work for," he said.

"The players, what was the key, they believed that we can pass, so they really believed that was the key, after 1-0 more.

"As I said before, the performance in this moment where we are, it's very important that it happens, this kind of performance, three days after Liverpool."

He is, however, refusing to get carried away.

Tudor stated: "Of course the last two games we improved, but as I said two games before, it's impossible to judge these two games, because what happened in the first 20 minutes against Madrid [last week], there is nothing about the coach, team, tactics, training. There is nothing about it.

"I believe Crystal Palace, the game before, we had 1-0 and total control of the game - red card so as well, nothing about it.

"In football, you need confirmation every day, every day, every day, every Sunday.

"There is on Sunday an important game as we know but it will not decide nothing yet. As I said before, it will be decided everything in the last two or three games, I believe."

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone was pleased his side were able to progress despite their defeat on the night.

“It is a time to be happy. As a club, as a team, with the joy that our people will take this progress to the quarter-finals," he said.

"The road when you enter the quarter-finals will be hard, as in the previous situations that we had to reach the final.

"We will have to compete as we have been doing. It will be difficult, we are probably facing the team that attacks best in Europe [in Barcelona], but we will have our enthusiasm to compete as always."