Tottenham 3 Dinamo Bucuresti 1
Jermain Defoe struck twice against Dinamo Bucharest at White Hart Lane as Tottenham secured top place in their UEFA Cup group following their 3-1 victory.
Defoe struck either side of the interval, while Dimitar Berbatov maintained his goalscoring streak with the opener as Spurs completed their 10th straight win at home.
Spurs had qualified for the knockout stages but were looking for a point to secure top place in Group B and a favourable draw for the next round - and from kick-off they never appeared content with a draw.
The visitors, who were without influential striker Claudiu Niculescu, never got a foothold in the game and Jean-Philippe Mendy's injury-time goal was of little consolation.
Dinamo too had already qualified for the next round, which is in February, and will now face a team dropping out of the Champions League.
They were immediately on the back foot. Hossam Ghaly, returning to the starting XI, set up early chances for Defoe and Berbatov which were both wasted, while Tom Huddlestone drilled an effort after three minutes which goalkeeper Uladzimir Hayeu tipped around the post.
Even defensive midfielder Didier Zokora surged forward to set up attacks, the Ivory Coast international available despite being currently suspended for domestic games.
However, it was Berbatov's quick thinking which gave Spurs the lead in the 17th minute.
The Bulgarian had seen his weak effort saved by Hayeu but then stayed alert to intercept the goalkeeper's throw and lashed into the top corner.
Berbatov has previously stated he wants to emulate Jurgen Klinsmann's impact at White Hart Lane, but he may be able to succeed where the German failed if he helps bring silverware to the club.
It was the former Bayer Leverkusen player's 10th goal of the season and his fifth in the UEFA Cup, the trophy Spurs won in 1972 and 1984.
Defoe almost doubled the lead two minutes after the opener but his effort from the edge of the area struck the bar, while the Romanians offered some threat soon after when Paul Robinson had to save from Adrian Cristea then Catalin Munteanu.
But Spurs continued to press and Huddlestone had a long-range drive blocked by team-mate Aaron Lennon, while Ghaly's low effort was saved by Hayeu.
Defoe, however, doubled the lead when he collected the ball from Robinson in the 39th minute, danced around Stefan Radu before showing his pace and cool head with his finish.
It was Defoe's seventh in seven starts, form which eases the blow of losing Robbie Keane to a knee injury as Spurs' busy Christmas period approaches.
Defoe extended the lead five minutes into the second half, tapping in after Ghaly was found by Berbatov and the ball broke for the England striker to roll home.
Berbatov could have added to the visitors' embarrassment but fired just wide shortly after.
Dorin Mihut's drive was held by Robinson, but it was a rare attack from a team who look set to wrap up the Romanian league with ease.
Hayeu was forced to punch Zokora's long-range drive away just after the hour, while Huddlestone fired over from a similar position soon after.
The England Under-21 midfielder came even closer in the 65th minute with a drive which had the Spurs bench on their feet.
Spurs skipper Ledley King was rested for the final 23 minutes, with Calum Davenport coming on, while Huddlestone received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Steed Malbranque.
There was time for Benoit Assou-Ekotto to hit the woodwork, while Paul Stalteri was brought on for his first appearance since a knee injury.
Substitute Mendy pulled a goal back in injury-time with a cool finish but the game had been wrapped up long before he struck.
Defoe struck either side of the interval, while Dimitar Berbatov maintained his goalscoring streak with the opener as Spurs completed their 10th straight win at home.
Spurs had qualified for the knockout stages but were looking for a point to secure top place in Group B and a favourable draw for the next round - and from kick-off they never appeared content with a draw.
The visitors, who were without influential striker Claudiu Niculescu, never got a foothold in the game and Jean-Philippe Mendy's injury-time goal was of little consolation.
Dinamo too had already qualified for the next round, which is in February, and will now face a team dropping out of the Champions League.
They were immediately on the back foot. Hossam Ghaly, returning to the starting XI, set up early chances for Defoe and Berbatov which were both wasted, while Tom Huddlestone drilled an effort after three minutes which goalkeeper Uladzimir Hayeu tipped around the post.
Even defensive midfielder Didier Zokora surged forward to set up attacks, the Ivory Coast international available despite being currently suspended for domestic games.
However, it was Berbatov's quick thinking which gave Spurs the lead in the 17th minute.
The Bulgarian had seen his weak effort saved by Hayeu but then stayed alert to intercept the goalkeeper's throw and lashed into the top corner.
Berbatov has previously stated he wants to emulate Jurgen Klinsmann's impact at White Hart Lane, but he may be able to succeed where the German failed if he helps bring silverware to the club.
It was the former Bayer Leverkusen player's 10th goal of the season and his fifth in the UEFA Cup, the trophy Spurs won in 1972 and 1984.
Defoe almost doubled the lead two minutes after the opener but his effort from the edge of the area struck the bar, while the Romanians offered some threat soon after when Paul Robinson had to save from Adrian Cristea then Catalin Munteanu.
But Spurs continued to press and Huddlestone had a long-range drive blocked by team-mate Aaron Lennon, while Ghaly's low effort was saved by Hayeu.
Defoe, however, doubled the lead when he collected the ball from Robinson in the 39th minute, danced around Stefan Radu before showing his pace and cool head with his finish.
It was Defoe's seventh in seven starts, form which eases the blow of losing Robbie Keane to a knee injury as Spurs' busy Christmas period approaches.
Defoe extended the lead five minutes into the second half, tapping in after Ghaly was found by Berbatov and the ball broke for the England striker to roll home.
Berbatov could have added to the visitors' embarrassment but fired just wide shortly after.
Dorin Mihut's drive was held by Robinson, but it was a rare attack from a team who look set to wrap up the Romanian league with ease.
Hayeu was forced to punch Zokora's long-range drive away just after the hour, while Huddlestone fired over from a similar position soon after.
The England Under-21 midfielder came even closer in the 65th minute with a drive which had the Spurs bench on their feet.
Spurs skipper Ledley King was rested for the final 23 minutes, with Calum Davenport coming on, while Huddlestone received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Steed Malbranque.
There was time for Benoit Assou-Ekotto to hit the woodwork, while Paul Stalteri was brought on for his first appearance since a knee injury.
Substitute Mendy pulled a goal back in injury-time with a cool finish but the game had been wrapped up long before he struck.
posted by dgarden at 8:19 am
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