TOTTENHAM edged into the group stage of the Uefa Cup with a result against Wisla Krakow yesterday which left manager Juande Ramos relieved but still looking for a spark to ignite their season.
Spurs ended up clinging onto their 3-2 aggregate lead, with desperate defending and fine goalkeeping from Heurelho Gomes keeping the Polish champions at bay.
The performance from Spurs may not be the platform to lift the gloom at the club, althou
gh Ramos is hoping that avoiding another defeat and advancing is something to build on. "At this moment, the important thing is qualification, which is the same (as a win)," he said.
"There was no euphoria, it was just a sense of getting the job done. To play another four matches in the competition for the club is very important."
Spurs are bottom of the Premier League and on Sunday face Hull, who would have noted the panic Wisla created as they chased a goal to send the first-round tie into extra-time.
The visitors had extended their lead when Arkadiusz Glowacki put through his own goal just before the hour mark while being put under intense pressure by Fraizer Campbell, who was making his first start.
Ramos, who fielded an attacking line-up with Campbell and Darren Bent up front, then defended Spurs' lead by bringing on defenders.
Wisla's pressure resulted in Pawel Brozek lobbing Gomes seven minutes from time – setting up the thrilling finish.
Wisla Krakow: Pawelek, Baszczynski, Glowacki, Cleber, Piotr Brozek, Boguski, Cantoro, Sobolewski, Diaz, Jirsak, Pawel Brozek. Subs: Juszczyk, Singlar, Guedes Filho, Zienczuk, Niedzielan, Lobodzinski, Barreto.
Tottenham: Gomes, Gunter, King, Woodgate, Bale, Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Modric, Campbell, Bent. Subs: Cesar, Bentley, Huddlestone, Giovani, Dawson, O'Hara, Assou-Ekotto.
Referee: A Dan Tudor (Rom).
The full article contains 304 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
