UEFA Cup 2nd Leg: Tottenham 3 Braga 2

Spurs V Braga 14.03.07 Highlights
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Dimitar Berbatov's remarkable run of form continued as he helped ease Tottenham into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup at the expense of SC Braga with a 3-2 win on the night - 6-4 on aggregate.

The Portuguese side had levelled the scores on aggregate with the opener in the second leg of the last-16 clash before Berbatov notched his 18th and 19th goals of the season before the break, both strikes of the highest quality.

The Bulgaria striker, 26, has been playing with a nagging groin problem and there were suggestions boss Martin Jol wanted to rest his #10.9million summer signing in Spurs' hectic schedule.

But the former Bayer Leverkusen player showed no signs of fatigue or suggestions he was struggling, showing familiar class with most of his touches.

Andrade's powerful free-kick in the second half gave Braga hope of forcing extra-time, but Berbatov then set up Steed Malbranque to seal the win and maintain Tottenham's 100% record in the competition this season.

Spurs paraded Tony Parks at half-time, their goalkeeping hero when they won the trophy in 1984, and Spurs fans are looking for another European saviour in Berbatov.

He scored in all of the group games and his goals, ultimately, were the difference in a thrilling last-16 tie.

Spurs' congested fixture list has offered Berbatov a chance to shine but also means the Dutchman is juggling his squad.

Berbatov is not the only concern, but the side selected against Jorge Costa's men suggested protecting their 3-2 lead from Portugal was not a task he was taking lightly.

It was the Dutchman's strongest side possible, with his threadbare defence containing three natural full-backs.

With Ricardo Rocha cup-tied, and Ledley King and Anthony Gardner sidelined, Pascal Chimbonda was at the heart of the defence partnering Michael Dawson.

The makeshift back-four did not look under much early pressure, and Spurs even thought they should have a penalty in the 14th minute when Robbie Keane cut inside and his shot crashed off Paulo Jorge.

But the visitors, in their fluorescent shirts, snatched the lead on the night in the 24th minute in fortuitous circumstances.

Paul Stalteri fouled Wender on the left flank to earn a free-kick, which was swung in by Andrade and flew in past Radek Cerny off Tom Huddlestone's head.

Spurs were still ahead on away goals but took the outright lead again in the 28th minute through Berbatov.

Keane had blazed a shot over a minute earlier but was more considered in his approach this time, holding the ball up and slipping Berbatov through to steer his finish home with the outside of his boot.

The Bulgarian striker then took centre stage, picking up a booking just after the half-hour mark before almost pulling off an impish piece of skill in rounding Paulo Santos - the goalkeeper managing to scramble clear.

Berbatov grabbed his second with three minutes left in the half. He cushioned a Huddlestone free-kick with his chest when he was left unmarked and behind the Braga defence before lashing into the roof of the net.

Chimbonda had gone close with a header and, after Malbranque had already gone close with a backheel in the first half, Spurs were made to rue their missed chances as Braga gave themselves hope.

Andrade had already gone close with a free-kick before he pulled a goal back with a powerful set-piece from 30 yards out on the hour.

Another Braga goal would force extra-time - but Malbranque sealed the win, latching onto Berbatov's delightful flick before volleying past Santos.

Berbatov was not even given a rest after his fine first-half work, with Jermain Defoe coming on for Keane instead of the Bulgarian.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol has tipped Dimitar Berbatov to maintain his form for the rest of the season after the striker helped knock SC Braga out of the UEFA Cup.

'He did that in Germany when he scored 18 goals after Christmas,' said Jol. 'When you're as good as him, next year he will score 25 goals probably.'

Jol considered resting Berbatov, but added: 'I was happy that I played him again.'

'I wish I could rest him but it's the same with players like Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon.'

Lennon took a knock to his knee and will require assessment, while Berbatov played the 90 minutes.

The £10.9million signing struck twice before half-time after Tom Huddlestone's own goal had levelled the scores on aggregate in the 24th minute.

Robbie Keane set up the first, sliding the ball through the Braga defence for Berbatov to steer into the far corner.

For his second, Berbatov was found unmarked by Huddlestone and the Bulgaria striker lashed in a volley after trapping the ball on his chest.

'He's always moving into the space and only needs one or two seconds to lose his opponent,' added Jol. 'There was a suspicion of offside but it was a great finish.'

'It's probably the story of the season - exciting,' said Jol.

'I don't think they created many chances - it was a own goal and a free-kick through the wall, we should have had a couple penalties so it could have been a bit more with a bit of help.'

The victory could have been tarnished if the referee had seen Pascal Chimbonda kick out at an opponent, but no action was taken.

Braga boss Jorge Costa admitted the difference was Berbatov.

'He's definitely a player that inspires confidence and, in terms of European football, is one of the best players at the moment,' he said.

Costa, who won the UEFA Cup playing for Jose Mourinho at Porto, feels Spurs could win the competition this season.

'They can win the competition, they are one of the strongest teams left,' he said. 'They are strong physically and are a team that makes football look easy.'