Tottenham have gained the upper hand in their Uefa Cup tie with Slavia Prague after securing a 2-1 win in the Czech Republic.
Tottenham on course for the last 16
Tottenham have gained the upper hand in their Uefa Cup tie with Slavia Prague after securing a 2-1 win in the Czech Republic.
It was a tale of two halves as Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane fired the visitors into a first-half lead, but Slavia fought back well to salvage some hope for the return leg.
With the return fixture set to be played four-days before Spurs' Carling Cup final manager Juande Ramos would have been keen to put the tie to bed, but Spurs let their opponents back into the tie after a string of missed chances.
A howler from Radek Cerny presented David Strihavka with the easiest of goals in a second-half dominated by the visitors. Erich Brabec also struck the bar late-on, and in the end Spurs will be happy to have left the Czech Republic with a one-goal advantage.
In sub-zero temperatures in the Czech Republic capital, Spurs flew out of the traps and scored with their first meaningful attack.
Jermaine Jenas set off on a trademark run through midfield, and as the ball broke to Berbatov the Bulgarian made no mistake as he volleyed hard and low past the diving Martin Vaniak.
It was the Bulgaria striker's 16th of the season and his third in as many Spurs games.
The Czechs, who are top of their domestic league but have not played for two months due to their winter break, almost replied immediately.
Emphatic
Daniel Pudil and Jaroslav Cerny had efforts on goal but neither tested Spurs stopper Cerny, and the hosts appeared to be rusty without a rhythm of games behind them.
Spurs responded emphatically and doubled their lead after a well-worked counter-attack.
Spurs worked the ball out of defence with Jenas again making the yards. His ball split the Slavia defence and Keane finished clinically past the on-rushing Vaniak.
Three of the four Spurs defenders were playing out of position - Tainio was playing at right-back, with Pascal Chimbonda on the left and Didier Zokora in central defence - yet it didn't appear to matter.
With the visitors breaking forward at will, Berbatov forced Vaniak into a fine double save just before the break after good work from Aaron Lennon.
The second half began, and so did the Spurs chances. Huddlestone weaved through the Slavia defence - but his finish skimmed the woodwork.
Slavia defender Mickael Tavares did have a glimpse of goal but headed over when he met a free-kick.
Blooper
Up to that point it was a quiet night for Spurs goalkeeper Cerny, who was given a warm reception by home fans on his return.
The reception became even warmer soon after when his blooper gifted Slavia a passage back into the tie.
With 21 minutes remaining he failed to deal with Hubacek's hanging cross, and Strihavka, who challenged him, prodded the ball over the line.
Erich Brabec could have levelled but hit the bar from a corner with five minutes left, with Cerny left stranded.
Berbatov came a whisker away from putting the tie beyond doubt, but nevertheless Ramos' men look well-set to progress after notching two precious away goals.
