UEFA Cup, Sevilla 2-1 Tottenham

Sevilla recover to snatch win!

Robbie Keane netted a priceless away goal but Spurs still face a tough task to reach the Uefa Cup semi-finals after Sevilla hit back for a hard-fought win.

Spurs began the match in perfect fashion when Keane put them in front less than two minutes into the match tapping in at the second attempt after working himself into acres of space inside the box. But Sevilla got themselves right back into the match when former Spurs man Kanoute converted a controversial penalty and took the lead 15 minutes later as poor defending allowed Kerzhakov to direct a header into the back of the net.

With both teams enjoying a reputation for attacking football, there was always a feeling that the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán would be in for an explosive encounter. Few could have predicted how quickly the match would come to life though, Keane latching on to Dimitar Berbatov's perfect through-ball to stab past Andrés Palop, after the fit-again goalkeeper had parried the Irishman's initial effort.

Keane's ninth strike in as many games provoked a rousing response from the local fans, who answered coach Juande Ramos's call to support the cause. Their heroes did not take long to draw level either, scoring from their first chance as former Tottenham striker Kanouté calmly side-footed in a penalty after goalkeeper Paul Robinson was adjudged to have fouled Adriano Correia.

Frustrated, Martin Jol's men attempted to wrest back control through Berbatov, who curled a low shot towards the far corner from the edge of the area. Palop saved well, however, and the incredible pace continued when Pascal Chimbonda's strong shoulder barge prevented Kerzhakov from scoring, before Robinson produced a fantastic stop at full stretch from a long-range Jesús Navas piledriver.

As good as that save was, the England No1 was helpless on 36 minutes when the unmarked Kerzhakov headed in after Julien Escudé had nodded the ball dangerously across goal from the left. Michael Dawson then came close at the other end, launching himself at a Jermaine Jenas corner yet directing his header wide.

It seemed unlikely that the two rivals could keep up the same intensity after the break and so it proved, the game becoming more notable for niggling fouls. Maintaining a high line, the Premiership outfit now looked the more adventurous of the pair, and the energetic Keane reminded Sevilla of his presence in the 58th minute with a drive flashed narrowly beyond Palop's far post from wide on the left. That spurred the hosts into action, and Kanouté came close to grabbing a second as he drilled Adriano's low centre just off target soon after.

What had become a stop-start affair briefly livened up when Berbatov broke free down the left, only for his touch to let him down at the crucial moment. Both protagonists increasingly appeared content with the scoreline, though that did not stop Kanouté feeling he had missed a glorious opportunity when he deflected a header past the post from a great position. Tottenham's Didier Zakora and substitute Steed Malbranque both squandered chances to equalise late on, suggesting Jol's team must work on their finishing before next week.

Sevilla: Palop, Javi Navarro, David (Dragutinovic 68), Daniel, Escude, Renato (Marti 60), Poulsen, Adriano Correia, Kerzhakov, Kanoute, Jesus Navas.
Subs Not Used: Cobeno, Duda, Chevanton, Hinkel, Maresca.

Booked: David.

Goals: Kanoute 19 pen, Kerzhakov 36.

Tottenham: Robinson, Stalteri, Chimbonda, Dawson, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon (Malbranque 80), Zokora, Jenas, Tainio (Ghaly 84), Keane, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Mido, Defoe, Taarabt, Ifil.

Booked: Robinson, Tainio, Young-Pyo Lee, Zokora.

Goals: Keane 2.

UEFA Cup Sevilla 2-1 Tottenham goals video:

Mido hints at summer move

Mido is ready to move

Egyptian striker Mido has admitted that he could leave Tottenham in the summer after confirming that he is wanted by three other clubs.

The much-travelled 24-year-old has fallen out of favour at White Hart Lane this season and has started only six Premiership games for Martin Jol's side.

His form since penning a permanent deal with Spurs has been in sharp contrast to his impressive displays last term when he was on loan from AS Roma.

Mido scored 11 goals in 27 Premiership appearances last season but has found the net only once this campaign as questions about the player's weight and work-rate have intensified.

Jol blocked a possible transfer to Manchester City during the January transfer window but the player may be allowed to move to Eastlands at the end of this season.

Mido insisted: "I have a very good offer from Manchester City.

"Celta Vigo also want me, and the PSV coach Ronald Koeman phoned me and he is interested too."

Mido played for Ajax, Celta Vigo, Marseille and AS Roma before moving to north London.

Lampard calls for action

England midfielder Frank Lampard has called for action to prevent any repetition of the attack he faced from a Tottenham fan in the FA Cup.

Chelsea had just won the quarter-final replay at 2-1 at White Hart Lane on Monday and Lampard was celebrating in front of the Chelsea supporters when a fan ran on to the pitch and took a swing at him.

"It did shock me," Lampard said as he prepared for England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel on Saturday. "Fortunately I saw it coming and was prepared for it and luckily ducked out the way.

"It wasn't as bad as it could have been as an incident. But I hope that doesn't happen to me or anyone else again. It was strange. It was awkward, someone running at you like that ... Fans have come on the pitch before but not with that kind of aggressive nature.

"Emotions run high and I don't want to stand here and criticise too much. Of course, the measures need to be taken to make sure it doesn't happen again."

A Football Association spokesman had earlier described the scenes as "totally unacceptable" and said the FA would be contacting Spurs "as a matter of priority."

Lampard is now looking ahead to the game at Ramat Gan on Saturday, where England need to make up lost ground in Group E. Steve McClaren's men have dropped five points and slipped to third in the group after drawing with Macedonia and losing to leaders Croatia.

Difficult though it will be in Israel, compared with the game four days later against Andorra, Lampard believes England can have no excuses and need to make their ability and experience count.

"I hope we'll learn the lesson from Croatia because we didn't play as well as we should have done and we lost," Lampard said.

"We're full of players who have played in these atmospheres before - Champions League, England games - we've got the experience. So there's no excuses."

England have seven points, one behind Russia and three adrift of Croatia. Macedonia - who have played a game more - and Israel, are behind McClaren's men only on goal difference.

FA to contact Spurs over Fan attack

FA calls incident involving pitch invader 'totally unacceptable'

The Football Association has demanded an explanation from Tottenham Hotspur after two fans ran on to the pitch at White Hart Lane at the end of last night's quarter-final replay against Chelsea - and one of them attempted to punch Frank Lampard.

The FA described the incident as "totally unacceptable" and have asked Spurs to detail the security measures that were in place.

"These scenes were totally unacceptable and we will be contacting Spurs as a matter of priority," said a spokesman. "We want to establish what safety and security provisions were in place for the game and to confirm what action was taken against the fans who ran on to the pitch. We understand that both individuals were arrested and we would expect them to be given football banning orders."

The invader trying to punch Chelsea's Lampard

Lampard managed to dodge the punch before a slew of stewards tamed the fan, but the midfielder spoke of his unease at how close the intruder had been able to get to him.

"I saw the guy coming and wanted to keep my eye on him because if I turn my back, I thought I might get one on me," said Lampard. "I just ducked and the stewards got to him. The way he ran at me I think he'd had a few drinks. I don't think he should have been on the pitch in the first place, but you can understand there's a lot of emotion in a match like this."

The invader was wrestled down!

FA Cup, Tottenham1-2 Chelsea

Spurs second best as Chelsea grasp their second chanceChelsea set up an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Blackburn Rovers thanks to superb second-half strikes from Andriy Shevchenko and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Andriy Shevchenko finally showed his true quality with a superb strike that put Chelsea on course for a 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final replay victory at Tottenham on Monday.



Shevchenko broke the deadlock with a finish of the highest quality early in the second half before Shaun Wright-Phillips added an equally brilliant second.



Robbie Keane reduced the deficit with a late penalty but Chelsea edged through to set up a semi-final against Blackburn next month.



However, there was an ugly end to the match. As Chelsea's players celebrated with their supporters at the final whistle, a Spurs fan ran on to the pitch to confront Blues boss Jose Mourinho and had to be restrained by Frank Lampard.



With tempers already raised, Chelsea coach Baltemar Brito was involved in a heated argument with Tottenham assistant Chris Hughton as the players left the pitch.



After months of plenty of criticism for a series of lacklustre displays since his pre-season move from AC Milan, Shevchenko is coming into form at just the right moment.



His relationship with Mourinho has been frosty at times amid suggestions the Ukraine international was signed by owner Roman Abramovich rather than the Chelsea boss.



But he scored a fine goal in Saturday's win against Sheffield United and his devastating effort here was further evidence that he is beginning to recapture the form that persuaded Chelsea to pay 30 million pounds for him.



It was tough on Tottenham who had started well, with Dimitar Berbatov wasting no time in testing Petr Cech with a looping header from Steed Malbranque's cross.



Chelsea had staged a dramatic fightback to set up this replay after trailing 3-1 at half-time at Stamford Bridge, prompting Mourinho to taunt Spurs by claiming he expected his side to reach the final after that escape.



Michael Ballack was close to backing up those bold words in the sixth minute when he shot narrowly wide after Didier Drogba chested down Ashley Cole's long punt.



Wright-Phillips has been given a rare opportunity by Mourinho recently and the winger showed a glimpse of his undoubted talent with a fierce drive from the edge of the area that flashed just over the crossbar.


But Spurs have been free-scoring form of late and Michael Dawson wasn't far away with a header from Jermaine Jenas's corner midway through the half.



Martin Jol's side had won seven of their previous eight matches and they gave Chelsea no time to settle in a frantic first half. The visitors' front two were starved of service and Drogba's frustration boiled over when he was booked for dissent after fouling Ricardo Rocha.



Chances were at a premium as these London rivals refused to give an inch.



Lampard tried his luck from acute angle, but his scuffed half-volley never looked like troubling Paul Robinson.



Tottenham were first to threaten after half-time when Pascal Chimbonda's volley from Keane's flick was well saved by Cech. But it was Chelsea who took the lead in stunning style in the 55th minute.



When Shevchenko cut in from the right past Malbranque, there appeared to be little danger, but the Ukrainian unleashed a superb curling strike that arrowed past Robinson into the far corner.



It was the kind of finish that earned Shevchenko his reputation as the best forward in Europe and there was worse to come for Spurs as Chelsea hit them with another stunning goal six minutes later.



Cole spotted Michael Dawson was out of position and lofted a pass to Drogba just inside the penalty area. The Ivory Coast striker chested down to Wright-Phillips and he sent a perfectly-placed strike whistling past Robinson.



Just as Chelsea looked set to cruise into the last four, Berbatov won a penalty in the 79th minute when he surged into the area and was brought down from behind by Carvalho.



Keane sent Cech the wrong way from the spot to set up a furious finale, but Chelsea held on to keep their dreams of a quadruple alive.




Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Young-Pyo Lee, Dawson, Rocha (Stalteri 84), Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque (Defoe 64), Berbatov, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Ghaly, Huddlestone.

Booked: Chimbonda.

Goals: Keane 79 pen.

Chelsea: Cech, Diarra (Ferreira 90), Ashley Cole, Carvalho, Terry, Wright-Phillips (Kalou 86), Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, Shevchenko (Robben 81), Drogba.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Boulahrouz.

Booked: Diarra, Drogba, Cech.

Goals: Shevchenko 55, Wright-Phillips 61.

FA Cup, Tottenham 1-2 Chelsea highlights & goals:

Premiership, Tottenham 3-1 Watford

Robinson on right end of freak goal as Spurs ease to win

That's why you're number one', roared the home crowd in praise of Paul Robinson, the unlikely scorer of Spurs' second goal. The Watford fans had contested the England goalkeeper's crown, but when Robinson's free-kick flew the length of the pitch, bounced in front of Ben Foster and into the net!!! to put Tottenham two goals ahead after Jermaine Jenas had opened the scoring.

Hossam Ghaly added a third for Totteham before Darius Henderson pulled one back in the last minute for doomed Watford.

But it was Robinson who took centre stage in a match that had been billed as a battle between England's top two keepers. His amazing effort owed more to luck than judgement, but Foster was left to rue a misjudgement that will hardly help his chances of displacing Robinson as his country's first choice stopper.

Robinson was almost certain to start England's forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers after coach Steve McClaren backed him this week, but the manner of the second goal of his career will have ended any lingering doubts.

Tottenham's victory moved them into sixth place and was the ideal preparation for Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay against Chelsea. In contrast, Watford look certain to go down after a defeat that left them 11 points from safety.

With that Chelsea clash in mind, Jol rested Dimitar Berbatov, Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane.

But Spurs were still able to dominate the first half. Steed Malbranque created the first chance in the 17th minute when he got to the byline and cut a cross back, only for Mido to blast over.

Jenas was back in action after missing three matches with a groin injury and he looked determined to make up for lost time. He was at the heart of all Tottenham's best moments and he worked space for a volley that flashed wide from the edge of the area.

Jenas prompted another chance with a fine pass that picked out Jermain Defoe midway through the half. Defoe tested Foster with a smart snapshot, but the Watford keeper was equal to it.

Watford's only first half chance came from a generous piece of defending by the hosts. Pascal Chimbonda's pass went straight to Tamas Priskin but the Hungarian's shot was blocked for a corner.

Chimbonda got it right a few moments later though when his assist allowed Jenas to break the deadlock in the 41st minute. The French defender's cross picked out Jenas and he buried a header beyond Foster for his fifth goal in seven appearances.

Tottenham, Jenas goal:

Tottenham had won six of their previous seven matches, scoring 23 goals in the process, but they sealed victory here in the most bizarre manner after 63 minutes.

Foster had just saved well from Tom Huddlestone and when Robinson launched a huge clearance from well inside the Tottenham half there seemed to be little danger. But Foster, on loan from Manchester United, couldn't read the bounce and was left to hold his head in shame as the ball looped over him into the net.

Robinson's amazing goal:

Ghaly's fine low strike in the 85th minute rubbed salt into Foster's wounds and Henderson's last minute tap-in was no consolation for the visitors.

Tottenham, Ghaly goal:

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Rocha, Young-Pyo Lee (Stalteri 80), Ghaly, Jenas, Huddlestone, Malbranque (Lennon 71), Mido, Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Berbatov, Keane.

Goals: Jenas 41, Robinson 63, Ghaly 85.



Watford: Foster, Mariappa, Doyley, Shittu, Powell, Chambers (Kabba 77), Mahon, Williams (Rinaldi 62), Smith, Priskin (Henderson 56), Bouazza.
Subs Not Used: Lee, Williamson.

Goals: Henderson 89.

UEFA Cup, Tottenham 3-2 Braga... Second Leg

Brilliant Berbatov sends Spurs into last eight

Tottenham Hotspur FC can look forward to their first UEFA Cup quarter-final appearance since 1985 after a second-leg victory over SC Braga inspired by the brilliance of Dimitar Berbatov. The €16m striker scored two first-half goals and created the third for Steed Malbranque as Tottenham recovered from the shock of conceding an early goal to secure a 3-2 triumph on the night and 6-4 aggregate success.

Having won in Portugal last week, Spurs had the worst possible start after Tom Huddlestone headed past Radek Cerny. But Spurs were soon back in front as Berbatov scored with a right-footed flick and then a quite superb volley.

Andrade Joao Amaral's arrowed free-kick briefly threatened a shock, before Berbatov's pass freed Steed Malbranque, who flicked the ball past Paulo Jorge.

Spurs have now scored 23 times in seven games and Martin Jol's side gave their fans another three goals to savour. The pick was Berbatov's breathtaking volley, though the passes that made the first and third goals were equally eye-catching.

Wednesday's victory also means Spurs have won all eight games they have played in the Uefa Cup this season as they bid to win the tournament they last won in 1984. That outstanding record momentarily came under threat when Braga took a surprise lead after Huddlestone headed into his own goal following Amaral's curling free-kick.

Tottenham had dominated the game up to that point but even conceding that goal failed to dim Spurs' quixotic spirit. If Berbatov's goals showcased his exquisite finishing skills, the Bulgarian was quick to credit the role played by first Robbie Keane and then Huddlestone in setting him up.

Keane was surrounded by four Braga defenders but the Irishman's flick beat them all as Berbatov made a run to the left of his striking partner. The pass deserved a goal and Berbatov did not disappoint, beating Jorge with a measured shot hit with the outside of his right foot.

Huddlestone had looked distraught after his own goal, but his demeanour improved immeasurably when his quick thinking from a free-kick provided the pass for Spurs' second goal. Huddlestone's flighted pass was quickly chested down by Berbatov who swivelled to volley past Jorge with a stupendous strike.

Berbatov and Keane had chances to extend Spurs' lead before the interval, but neither striker was able to find the net. Just before the hour Braga's hopes of pulling off a remarkable win were revived when Amaral thumped a free-kick past Cerny.

But for a third time in the game Braga had no answer to Berbatov, as the Bulgarian arced a pass over the Portuguese defence to find Malbranque who slipped the ball past Jorge.

Tottenham: Cerny, Stalteri, Dawson, Chimbonda, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon (Ghaly 81), Huddlestone, Zokora, Malbranque, Keane (Defoe 66), Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Tainio, Mido, Taarabt, Charlie Lee.

Booked: Berbatov, Malbranque.

Goals: Berbatov 28, 42, Malbranque 76.

Braga: Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Rodriguez (Nem 40), Carlos Fernandes, Frechaut, Madrid, Joao Amaral, Joao Pinto (Cesinha 74), Ze Carlos (Maciel 74), Wender.
Subs Not Used: Dani Mallo, Castanheira, Ricardo Chaves, Bruno Gama.

Booked: Joao Amaral, Joao Pinto, Luis Filipe.

Goals: Huddlestone 24 og, Joao Amaral 61.

UEFA Cup, second leg. Tottenham 3-2 Braga goals video:

FA Cup, Chelsea 3-3 Tottenham

Chelsea Comeback In Thriller

Chelsea and Tottenham have treated everyone watching to an unforgetable FA Cup tie and they will have to do it all again after it finished 3-3 at Stamford Bridge in 90 minutes of pure football madness!!



Chelsea had looked down and out at half-time after they trailed 3-1 to a vibrant Tottenham side.But second-half goals from Frank Lampard and substitute Salomon Kalou earned them a 3-3 draw and a replay at White Hart Lane against the odds.



First half:



Dimitar Berbatov shocked Chelsea by putting Spurs in front in the fifth minute but that was cancelled out by Lampard 17 minutes later. But an own goal by Michael Essien in the 28th minute restored Tottenham's advantage and Spurs cemented a terrific opening 45 minutes with a third goal through Hossam Ghaly eight minutes later.


Chelsea were given a wake-up call within five minutes when Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon linked up on the edge of the penalty area.The England winger slipped the ball to Dimitar Berbatov and the Spurs striker hammered a volley beyond Petr Cech for the opener.While Chelsea threatened to get back into the game, it was Spurs who remained more of a threat.They almost bagged a second when Paul Stalteri robbed Arjen Robben and set up Berbatov. However, the Bulgarian chose to cross for Defoe instead of shooting himself and the chance went begging.


Tottenham paid for the failure to take that opportunity when Lampard equalised in the 22nd minute. Tottenham were, for the first time in the game, caught out by a neat move from the English champions. Didier Drogba's cross was chested down by Andriy Shevchenko and when Michael Ballack sent the ball back towards the six-yard box, Lampard pounced to turn it past Radek Cerny.


But Spurs shocked Chelsea with a second goal a minute later when the unfortunately Essien turned a cross from Lennon past Cech and into his own net. The goal was completely against the run of play but it put the north London side back in control. The game was turning into a classic FA Cup tie and Stalteri had to clear off the line in the 32nd minute to prevent Chelsea from equalising for a second time.



Second Half:

After the break Chelsea, perhaps sensibly, opted to pile everyone forward - they did not seem to have anyone at the back anyway. A trio of chances came in quick succession but Ballack spurned two with his head and Lampard shot weakly.

And Spurs should have made them pay when Lennon burst through on goal but Cech produced a superb save to deny him and then Defoe made a mess of a free header from three yards out.

Instead, it was the visitors who were punished when a goalmouth scramble ensued after a corner and the ball broke to Lampard, who clipped the ball low into the corner.

Suddenly, a rejigged Chelsea were in the ascendancy and for the first time in the game Spurs were on the back foot. Chelsea, who had made a host of substitutions, appeared to be playing with only two defenders.

Yet the changes paid off when substitute Kalou connected sweetly after Drogba headed the ball across goal and Chelsea were level.

But then, in injury time, Defoe had a chance to give Tottenham their first win at Stamford Bridge for 17 years but his fizzing drive cannoned back off the bar.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira (Wright-Phillips 34), Essien, Carvalho, Ashley Cole (Kalou 64), Diarra (Boulahrouz 57), Lampard, Robben, Ballack, Drogba, Shevchenko.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Bridge.

Booked: Diarra, Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Kalou.

Goals: Lampard 22, 71, Kalou 86.

Tottenham: Cerny, Stalteri, Dawson, Rocha, Young-Pyo Lee, Ghaly (Gardner 81), Tainio, Zokora, Lennon (Malbranque 76), Berbatov (Mido 66), Defoe.
Subs Not Used: Burch, Huddlestone.

Booked: Ghaly, Zokora, Young-Pyo Lee, Stalteri, Cerny.

Goals: Berbatov 5, Essien 28 og, Ghaly 36.

FA Cup, Chelsea 3-3 Tottenham goals video:

FA Cup, Chelsea 3-3 Tottenham

Final Result
Chelsea 3-3 Tottenham

Chelsea stormed back from two goals down to snatch a 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in an electrifying FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Hossam Ghaly and an own goal from Michael Essien gave Tottenham a 3-1 halftime lead as they looked set to end a 17-year wait for a win at Stamford Bridge.

However Frank Lampard's second goal of the match after 71 minutes gave Chelsea a lifeline and Salomon Kalou volleyed the equaliser four minutes from time.

Jermain Defoe rattled the crossbar for Tottenham in the dying minutes and Andriy Shevchenko almost won it for the home side with a fierce shot but the sides will have to replay on March 19.

For Match full report and videos, click here.

FA Cup, Chelsea v Spurs preview

Chelsea captain John Terry could feature for Chelsea in Sunday's FA Cup quarter final clash with Spurs.

Terry was knocked out during the Carling Cup final win over Arsenal in a sickening, accidental clash with Abou Diaby and seemed to be seriously injured.

But after a few weeks rest he has been training with the first team and reckons he could make the weekend match.

"I am aiming towards Sunday," Terry said.

His manager Jose Mourinho was also optimistic that his skipper would return, although added that the decision would be left with medical staff:

"He is training normally," Mourinho said. "He is doing everything like everyone else, he is heading the ball - so if it is my choice, I would say yes. But it is not my choice. I have to wait for a final report from the medical side and they will make that decision. But yes, I want him to play."

Joe Cole is also absent with a fractured metarsal, otherwise Chelsea have a full squad available with the exception of the suspended John Obi Mikel.

Key Tottenham defender Ledley King is out for the season with his foot injury, and Martin Jol is not happy.

"He's already been out for two months," Jol said. "I thought a couple of weeks ago it would be maybe one or two weeks more, but on the scans you can still see the bruises on both feet."

Spurs could ring the changes after the 3-2 UEFA Cup win at Braga, with Jermain Defoe, Jermaine Jenas and Hossam Ghaly all in line to start although Jenas is an injury doubt with a groin strain. Robbie Keane is suspended after losing his appeal against a straight red for handling on the line during the 4-1 against Bolton two weeks ago. Benoit Assou-Ekotto is also out after an operation

UEFA cup, Braga 2-3 Tottenham

Keane's timely double puts Spurs in control

Tottenham have one foot in the Uefa Cup quarter-finals after a 3-2 win away to Sporting Braga, but the Premiership side will be frustrated that they hadn't wrapped up the tie further.

Aaron Lennon fed Keane to smash Spurs in front from the edge of the area and Steed Malbranque followed up another Lennon shot to make it 2-0. Paulo Jorge pulled one back after Paul Robinson saved his penalty and Ze Carlos headed home a late leveller.

But Keane had the final word, running clear to score an injury-time winner.

Tottenham Spurs outclassed Braga and probably should have been a few goals up in the first half, but had to wait until after the break before taking the lead through Robbie Keane.

Berbatov poked the ball just wide in the 16th minute, and then tested Santos thrice more in a first half that was all Tootenham. Robbie Keane joined in on the act, forcing another save out of Santos as the game went into the break. However, the game burst into a flurry of goals after the break, as Robbie Keane opened the floodgates by smashing in a delightful Aaron Lennon chip.

Spurs doubled their lead in the 72nd minute, when Lennon produced more magic to force a save out of Santos, but Steed Malbranque was at hand to crash in the reboun.

Braga were given hope when Diego went down under a challenge from Anthony Gardner in the area four minutes later. Paulo Jorge's penalty was pushed away by Robinson but the same player turned in the loose ball. Then, on 81 minutes, Braga grabbed an unlikely equaliser as Zé Carlos headed in Castanheira's free-kick. Yet there was still more drama as Didier Zokora's pass to Keane split the Braga defence two minutes into added time and the striker rolled a shot under Santos for the decider.

Braga: Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Rodriguez, Carlos Fernandes, Joao Amaral, Joao Pinto (Maciel 80), Castanheira, Bruno Gama (Cesinha 69), Ze Carlos, Wender (Diego 69).
Subs Not Used: Dani Mallo, Nem, Paito, Ricardo Chaves.

Goals: Paulo Jorge 76, Ze Carlos 81.

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon, Tainio (Huddlestone 74), Zokora, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Stalteri, Ghaly, Defoe, Taarabt, Charlie Lee.

Booked: Berbatov, Chimbonda.

Goals: Keane 57, Malbranque 72, Keane 90.

UEFA Cup, Braga 2-3 Tottenham goals Videos:

Jol planning Spurs dynasty

Martin Jol believes he can emulate Sir Alex Ferguson's success at Manchester United if he is allowed enough time to finish developing his young squad.

For the first time in Jol's two-and-a-half-year reign, serious questions have been raised about his ability to turn Tottenham into consistent challengers for major honours.

A dispiriting run of six league games without a win, combined with a League Cup semi-final exit against Arsenal, has put the Dutchman under pressure to ensure his side advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals with a win at Fulham on Sunday.

But, while sections of the club's demanding fanbase are growing disenchanted, Jol is not concerned about his job security because he believes his squad's blend of youth and experience is close to blossoming.

All he wants to be given is a chance to reap the rewards in the same way that Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were at United and Arsenal.

"I have no fear about getting sacked," said Jol.

"To be honest I would love to be here in a few years time and do a Ferguson or a Wenger."
"I feel we are capable of doing that. We have got good young players and experienced players."

"We are not as good as I would like yet, not like Arsenal or Liverpool. But I feel it is only a matter of two or three players."

"Last year we changed six or seven players. Then we did the same this year. I feel we are close. It is only a few little pieces."

"Thierry Henry has done unbelievable things at Arsenal and you need players like that."

"We have Adel Taarabt coming from France. He is amazing on the ball, like Zinedine Zidane. In a couple of years he could be one of the best players in the league."

Jol knows the expectations at Spurs mean any slump in form quickly becomes a crisis rather than the blip it might be seen as elsewhere.

But the former uncompromising player for English side West Brom is adamant that pressure only drives him on.

"The only thing I hate is when the supporters are not happy with us," Jol said. "The burden we have got is that everyone is talking about trophies."

"The 1991 team that won the FA Cup with Terry Venables are seen as legends here. They only won three of their last 24 matches, but because they won the Cup people say they are legends."

"There is more pressure because it is Spurs and we are expected to do well. It is a big compliment because clubs like Manchester City and Aston Villa don't have that."
"Everybody expects more of us and I hate not fulfilling their hope and expectation. I want to be successful because it is an addiction."

While Fulham boss Chris Coleman would love to have the transfer budget Jol enjoys, he is well aware that making big money signings can lead to unrealistic expectations.

Coleman said: "Martin has brought in a lot of good young players for a lot of money and that has inevitably raised expectations"

"But the pressure is always on managers if they don't buy the right players.
"From our point of view, we have never had that much money to spend so we have to get it right first time."

"We have to be very methodical in how we go about signing people because we can't afford to make many mistakes".
"I can't just sign a bad player, go back to the chairman and ask for another two million pounds because it doesn't work like that at this club."

Ferguson: Spurs Out Of Order

Manchester United cantered to a 4-0 win, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty putting them on the way. Cristiano Ronaldo won the penalty himself when he went down under minimal contact from a Steed Malbranque challenge.

Tottenham decided to show the controversial incident again at half-time on the big screen, something clubs are not supposed to do under Premier League rules.

"Tottenham were out of order showing replays at half-time of the penalty award that brought Ronaldo his latest goal," Ferguson Said.

"Certainly it was a close call and therefore controversial, but I don't think a club should risk inflaming the home support during a game.

"Players get booked for over-celebrating a goal in the face of rival supporters, but Tottenham's decision was far more provocative."

Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal (1st Leg)

Carling Cup: Spurs Mess Up Golden Opportunity;

Julio Baptista went from zero to hero for Arsenal as they held Tottenham in an absorbing Carling Cup semi-final first-leg tie at White Hart Lane. Dimitar Berbatov gave Spurs the lead heading in after a mix-up between Manuel Almunia and Kolo Toure.

Berbatov injured his groin and soon had to be replaced by Robbie Kean with Jol electing to revert to a 4-5-1 formation with Jermain Defoe up front on his own. The tactic seemed to be working when Tom Huddlestone's free-kick was kicked into his own net by Julio Baptista as the Brazilian tried to clear the ball.

Match Highlights:

Spurs had the tie in their hands, but will surely be left wondering why they didn't push home their advantage from this point. They were fortunate to go in at half-time with their 2-0 lead intact but in the second half their luck ran out as they were outclassed by a weakened Arsenal side.

Although the first-team players of Eboue and Hleb were introduced and the duo helped further unsettle Spurs Arsenal eventually equalized thanks to two goals by Baptista, who now has six in his last two games in the competition. The second goal was a mess from Spurs' point of view as goalkeeper Paul Robinson inexplicably ran out of his goal to close the angle on an advancing Justin Hoyte, but the youngster just had to cross the ball to Baptista for a simple tap-in.

The two teams will meet again at the Emirates next week when it will be well and truly advantage the home team: Arsenal.

Post match Interviews: