Spurs through despite Spartak scare
Aaron Lennon changed the game for Spurs
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Thursday, 18, Dec 2008 10:20
Tottenham came close to being knocked out of the Uefa Cup this evening before earning a 2-2 draw against Spartak Moscow and reaching the next stage.
The Londoners were 2-0 down as Spartak striker Artem Dzyuba grabbed a brace. But a storming second-half comeback and goals from Luka Modric and Tom Huddlestone earned Spurs a point.
Calamity-prone goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was involved in a comical situation which gifted Spartak their opening goal. The Brazilian and his compatriot Gilberto decided to leave the ball for each other in the penalty area and Dzyuba took advantage of the pair's hesitation and drilled the ball through Gomes's legs.
The Russians were 2-0 up ten minutes later and it was Dzyuba who scored again, but this time there was no luck involved. The striker first cheekily nutmegged makeshift centre-half Didier Zokora, before rounding Gomes and scoring.
Tottenham went in two down at half-time and were in real danger of getting dumped out of the tournament. NEC Nijmegen were drawing with Udinese and need to win by two clear goals and Tottenham would be out if they lost to Spartak.
Harry Redknapp needed his team to fight back in the second-half and he brought on Aaron Lennon in-place of Gilberto to help the cause.
The home side were almost back in the game inside the first five minutes of the second-half, but Frazier Campbell saw his goal-bound shot expertly saved by Stipe Pletikosa.
The exciting Lennon was instrumental in Spurs getting their first goal. The winger went on an electrifying run before squaring the ball to Modric who finished from six yards out.
Spurs only had to wait six minutes to complete the comeback as Huddlestone brilliantly headed home a Gareth Bale cross. Redknapp's men were unable to find a winner, but the draw confirmed they would finish second in the group behind Udinese.