UEFA CUP - Anderlecht 1 Tottenham 1
Tottenham earned a place in the knockout stage of the UEFA Cup after Dimitar Berbatov came off the bench against Anderlecht to earn a 1-1 draw and spare the blushes of Michael Dawson.
Dawson was the senior centre-back of a makeshift defence but his error led to the opener at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels.
Defeat would have left Juande Ramos' men looking for help elsewhere in Group G for them to progress, but Berbatov levelled from the penalty spot after coming off the bench.
Ramos is looking for a hat-trick of UEFA Cups after winning with Sevilla in the previous two years, although Spurs were unconvincing and plenty of work is needed if they are to reach the final at Manchester City's Eastlands ground at the end of the season.
Tonight's clash was a repeat of the 1984 final when Spurs won on penalties.
Both teams were struggling domestically, with the Belgians falling behind the pace in their league and Spurs showing relegation form.
The respective lack of confidence was illustrated by a first half short on opportunities and excitement, not helped by constant rain in the Belgian capital for the previous two days.
Younes Kaboul's recent errors cost him a place in the squad and Anderlecht were attempting to penetrate a defence which had midfielder Didier Zokora at centre-back.
At least Spurs initially looked a little tighter at the back without the clumsy young Frenchman alongside Dawson, although it was Dawson who was later at fault.
Anderlecht were limited to half chances in the first half - but so too were Spurs.
Steed Malbranque had an overhead effort drift wide, while Robbie Keane would have been on goal with a better touch from Tom Huddlestone's floated pass.
Pascal Chimbonda whipped the ball in from a threatening position on the right but goalkeeper Daniel Zitka claimed.
Zitka was not troubled by Huddlestone's long-range free-kick, the midfielder who was looking to impress in his first start under Ramos.
Darren Bent had a tame appeal for a penalty when he tussled with Jelle van Damme in the area but the decision from referee Damir Skomina actually went the way of the hosts.
At the other end, Anderlecht's first threat came when Olivier Deschacht volleyed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal which Mbo Mpenza failed to get on the end of.
Paul Robinson made his first save of the match in the 34th minute when Nicolas Frutos found a yard of room on the edge of the box, but his weak shot lacked direction.
Robinson was also called into action when Roland Juhasz skidded through a shot from the edge of the area, then Frutos' follow-up was blocked.
Keane forced a save from decent save from Zitka in the first minute of the second half after Aaron Lennon and Chimbonda had exchanged passes down the right flank.
Robinson was required to save shortly afterwards when Chimbonda lost the ball and Frutos slipped past Dawson. The England goalkeeper was down well at his near post.
Mpenza was in a similar position but Zokora slid in, with the referee bizarrely awarding a goal-kick.
Spurs fans had been calling for Berbatov to be brought off the bench and they were given their wish just before the hour mark when he replaced Keane.
His first contribution was to drive into the penalty area at pace - but he was halted by a last-ditch tackle. He also had a free-kick tipped over by Zitka.
Jan Polak was booked for a rant at the referee when a decision went against him but he was among the celebrating home players in the 68th minute.
Cyril Thereau centred from the right, Dawson allowed the ball to cross past him and Bart Goor smashed into the bottom corner.
But Spurs were level within three minutes when Jermaine Jenas was brought down by Van Damme and Berbatov sent Zitka the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Robinson produced a stunning save to deny Thereau a winner when the substitute had most of the goal to aim at from close range, but the Spurs goalkeeper dived to claw the ball back.
Spurs survived to claim the point they needed but Young-Pyo Lee was carried off on a stretcher - more worrying news for Ramos' threadbare defence.
They could have grabbed a winner when Jermain Defoe had an effort tipped over the bar.
Spurs qualification tempered by crowd trouble
Tottenham Hotspur reaching the UEFA Cup knockout stages was marred by an incident at the end of their draw against Anderlecht when Didier Zokora appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd.
Zokora needed treatment towards the end of the 1-1 draw at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, with television replays suggesting he was hit by a lighter.
Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson then handed what appeared to be a metal bar to the fourth official after the final whistle.
'I played for four years in Belgium and they hate me,' said Zokora, who played for Genk earlier in his career.
UEFA could take action against Anderlecht - they fined them earlier in the season for crowd disturbances during a Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce.
The home fans were angered by a series of decisions going against them.
'Myself and Pascal Chimbonda went in to make a block challenge and then a few things were thrown, luckily enough they didn't hit me,' explained defender Michael Dawson.
'Didier went off and I am not too sure what hit him. For him to go off, something must have hit him. I could see some coins being thrown around me.
'If you get injured in the game that is part of football but you don't expect that kind of thing to happen.'
Head coach Juande Ramos was himself a victim of fans throwing missiles during his time at Sevilla when Real Betis supporters targeted him.
The Spaniard remained diplomatic on the incident, insisting he did not see it, but he said: 'This is very bad for the players and those who work in football. 'But I did not see what happened. We have to be left in peace on the pitch and you can't have objects thrown because somebody could get hurt.'
Ramos is still in the hunt for a hat-trick of UEFA Cups but admits his side needs defensive work if they are to be at Eastlands later this season.
Zokora was part of a makeshift defence following the decision to leave error-prone Younes Kaboul at home.
The Belgians were initially blunted during a first half that lacked excitement, but they showed more adventure in the second half and opened the scoring when Dawson allowed the ball to cross past him and Bart Goor smashed into the bottom corner.
Spurs were level within three minute when Jermaine Jenas was brought down by Jelle van Damme and Dimitar Berbatov sent Daniel Zitka the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Spurs will be mentioned among the favourites for the title but Ramos said: 'We're far from achieving this. We have to wait for the draw, we have to get better because we look a bit vulnerable.'
Assistant boss Gus Poyet said there was calmness in the dressing room after the incidents that soured qualification.
'I think it's not good for Anderlecht,' he said.
'It's nothing to do with Anderlecht, there are always a few people.
'The lads were calm but they know how dangerous the situation could be.'
Dawson was the senior centre-back of a makeshift defence but his error led to the opener at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels.
Defeat would have left Juande Ramos' men looking for help elsewhere in Group G for them to progress, but Berbatov levelled from the penalty spot after coming off the bench.
Ramos is looking for a hat-trick of UEFA Cups after winning with Sevilla in the previous two years, although Spurs were unconvincing and plenty of work is needed if they are to reach the final at Manchester City's Eastlands ground at the end of the season.
Tonight's clash was a repeat of the 1984 final when Spurs won on penalties.
Both teams were struggling domestically, with the Belgians falling behind the pace in their league and Spurs showing relegation form.
The respective lack of confidence was illustrated by a first half short on opportunities and excitement, not helped by constant rain in the Belgian capital for the previous two days.
Younes Kaboul's recent errors cost him a place in the squad and Anderlecht were attempting to penetrate a defence which had midfielder Didier Zokora at centre-back.
At least Spurs initially looked a little tighter at the back without the clumsy young Frenchman alongside Dawson, although it was Dawson who was later at fault.
Anderlecht were limited to half chances in the first half - but so too were Spurs.
Steed Malbranque had an overhead effort drift wide, while Robbie Keane would have been on goal with a better touch from Tom Huddlestone's floated pass.
Pascal Chimbonda whipped the ball in from a threatening position on the right but goalkeeper Daniel Zitka claimed.
Zitka was not troubled by Huddlestone's long-range free-kick, the midfielder who was looking to impress in his first start under Ramos.
Darren Bent had a tame appeal for a penalty when he tussled with Jelle van Damme in the area but the decision from referee Damir Skomina actually went the way of the hosts.
At the other end, Anderlecht's first threat came when Olivier Deschacht volleyed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal which Mbo Mpenza failed to get on the end of.
Paul Robinson made his first save of the match in the 34th minute when Nicolas Frutos found a yard of room on the edge of the box, but his weak shot lacked direction.
Robinson was also called into action when Roland Juhasz skidded through a shot from the edge of the area, then Frutos' follow-up was blocked.
Keane forced a save from decent save from Zitka in the first minute of the second half after Aaron Lennon and Chimbonda had exchanged passes down the right flank.
Robinson was required to save shortly afterwards when Chimbonda lost the ball and Frutos slipped past Dawson. The England goalkeeper was down well at his near post.
Mpenza was in a similar position but Zokora slid in, with the referee bizarrely awarding a goal-kick.
Spurs fans had been calling for Berbatov to be brought off the bench and they were given their wish just before the hour mark when he replaced Keane.
His first contribution was to drive into the penalty area at pace - but he was halted by a last-ditch tackle. He also had a free-kick tipped over by Zitka.
Jan Polak was booked for a rant at the referee when a decision went against him but he was among the celebrating home players in the 68th minute.
Cyril Thereau centred from the right, Dawson allowed the ball to cross past him and Bart Goor smashed into the bottom corner.
But Spurs were level within three minutes when Jermaine Jenas was brought down by Van Damme and Berbatov sent Zitka the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Robinson produced a stunning save to deny Thereau a winner when the substitute had most of the goal to aim at from close range, but the Spurs goalkeeper dived to claw the ball back.
Spurs survived to claim the point they needed but Young-Pyo Lee was carried off on a stretcher - more worrying news for Ramos' threadbare defence.
They could have grabbed a winner when Jermain Defoe had an effort tipped over the bar.
Spurs qualification tempered by crowd trouble
Tottenham Hotspur reaching the UEFA Cup knockout stages was marred by an incident at the end of their draw against Anderlecht when Didier Zokora appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd.
Zokora needed treatment towards the end of the 1-1 draw at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, with television replays suggesting he was hit by a lighter.
Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson then handed what appeared to be a metal bar to the fourth official after the final whistle.
'I played for four years in Belgium and they hate me,' said Zokora, who played for Genk earlier in his career.
UEFA could take action against Anderlecht - they fined them earlier in the season for crowd disturbances during a Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce.
The home fans were angered by a series of decisions going against them.
'Myself and Pascal Chimbonda went in to make a block challenge and then a few things were thrown, luckily enough they didn't hit me,' explained defender Michael Dawson.
'Didier went off and I am not too sure what hit him. For him to go off, something must have hit him. I could see some coins being thrown around me.
'If you get injured in the game that is part of football but you don't expect that kind of thing to happen.'
Head coach Juande Ramos was himself a victim of fans throwing missiles during his time at Sevilla when Real Betis supporters targeted him.
The Spaniard remained diplomatic on the incident, insisting he did not see it, but he said: 'This is very bad for the players and those who work in football. 'But I did not see what happened. We have to be left in peace on the pitch and you can't have objects thrown because somebody could get hurt.'
Ramos is still in the hunt for a hat-trick of UEFA Cups but admits his side needs defensive work if they are to be at Eastlands later this season.
Zokora was part of a makeshift defence following the decision to leave error-prone Younes Kaboul at home.
The Belgians were initially blunted during a first half that lacked excitement, but they showed more adventure in the second half and opened the scoring when Dawson allowed the ball to cross past him and Bart Goor smashed into the bottom corner.
Spurs were level within three minute when Jermaine Jenas was brought down by Jelle van Damme and Dimitar Berbatov sent Daniel Zitka the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Spurs will be mentioned among the favourites for the title but Ramos said: 'We're far from achieving this. We have to wait for the draw, we have to get better because we look a bit vulnerable.'
Assistant boss Gus Poyet said there was calmness in the dressing room after the incidents that soured qualification.
'I think it's not good for Anderlecht,' he said.
'It's nothing to do with Anderlecht, there are always a few people.
'The lads were calm but they know how dangerous the situation could be.'
posted by dgarden at 2:10 pm
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