Tottenham Hotspur - 1 Slavia Prague - 0: When Robbie Keane guaranteed Tottenham's Uefa Cup progress with his first goal of the season 10 minutes from the end the overriding emotion was relief. Until that moment, when Mido knocked Didier Zokora's long ball into his strike partner's path and the Irishman scored with a low shot, it had seemed that Tottenham were destined for another night of fruitless toil.
Tottenham's two goals against this team are their only ones in six games and 73 minutes of football, and for periods of this match it seemed that it was not their strikers who are cursed but their supporters. Spurs dominated the first half but their confidence lasted only as long as their supporters' patience. Fortunately, Keane solved both problems.
Tottenham's disappointing start to the season has put their manager Martin Jol under pressure, but here was his team's chance to exert some of their own. They launched themselves forwards from the first whistle, creating their first genuine chance within three minutes and their second seconds later.
Slavia meanwhile started with Pavel Fort very much alone up front. Their tactics appeared to consist of launching long balls from the left side of midfield over his head and into the middle of the East Stand.
Spurs continued to create chances. Three times Jermaine Jenas created headed opportunities with his corners, but Calum Davenport, Keane and Pascal Chimbonda all missed the target. As half-time approached the home side started to feel the frustration that their recent lack of goals has caused. When Danny Murphy's cross found Keane 12 yards out in the 41st minute, his shot would have worried his own supporters more than it did Slavia's goalkeeper, Matus Kozacik.
Tottenham's inability to profit from their pressure was offering Slavia some hope.
Twice shortly after half-time their right-back Matej Krajcik hit powerful shots narrowly high and wide, the second chance created by a mix-up between Murphy and Lee.
Guardian Service
TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Davenport, Young-Pyo Lee, Jenas, Murphy (Ghaly 71), Zokora, Ziegler (Tainio 63), Keane, Mido. Subs Not Used: Cerny, Huddlestone, Ifil, Assou-Ekotto, Charlie Lee. Booked: Tainio. Goals: Keane 80.
SLAVIA PRAGUE: Kozacik, Krajcik, Latka, Suchy, Hubacek, Janda (Vlcek 63), Jarolim, Hrdlicka (Kalivoda 74), Svec, Svento, Fort (Necid 78). Subs Not Used: Divis, Dosoudil, Gaucho, Aracic. Booked: Latka. Att: 35,191.
Referee: T Skjerven (Norway).
