Keane bounces Czechs out

ROBBIE KEANE earned Spurs a place in the group stages of the UEFA Cup with a second-half winner at White Hart Lane.

Keane struck his first of the season 10 minutes from time to end Slavia Prague’s stubborn resistance.

The Republic of Ireland international drilled a low shot into the bottom corner after Pascal Chimbonda’s cross was chested into his path by substitute Hossam Ghaly.

Coach Martin Jol now has three weeks to find the right midfield blend or face the realistic prospect of an exit from the UEFA Cup in the group phase.

Tottenham’s European aspirations will certainly face more testing examinations than that provided by Prague and the inability of Jol’s side to make light work of their inexperienced opponents hardly bodes well for the rest of their campaign.

The home side, without a goal in the Barclays Premiership for seven hours and 13 minutes, started brightly but their initial optimism was soon stifled by the resolute Czech defence.

Prague soon demonstrated they were in London to make a fight of it when Tomas Hrdlicka fired a shot just wide of Paul Robinson’s left-hand post in the fifth minute.

In the 27th minute Robbie Keane hit the side-netting with a header after a Jenas corner had found him unmarked at the far post.

But it was an isolated chance for Spurs although they did manage to conjure an opening for Mido in the 36th minute, only for the Egyptian striker to turn Chimbonda’s cross wide of the post.

Five minutes before the break Pavel Fort forced Paul Robinson into his first real save of the game with a clever header.

It was yet another indication that Prague were still in the tie and in the 41st minute Keane made matters worse for Spurs with a glaring miss.

Murphy’s cross fell kindly to the feet of the Republic of Ireland striker eight yards out. But Keane’s shot was pushed to safety by Prague goalkeeper Matus Kozacik.

Three minutes after the restart Prague almost concocted an equaliser when Matej Krajcik sent his angled 20-yard drive just inches over Robinson’s crossbar.

Tottenham’s relief was overwhelming in the 80th minute when Keane finally found the net.

Keane’s goal gave Spurs a 2-0 aggregate lead and, given Prague’s limited attacking options, it was always going to be sufficient for the north London side.

TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Davenport, Young-Pyo Lee, Jenas, Murphy (Ghaly 71), Zokora, Ziegler (Tainio 63), Keane, Mido.

SLAVIA PRAGUE: Kozacik, Krajcik, Latka, Suchy, Hubacek, Janda (Vlcek 63), Jarolim, Hrdlicka (Kalivoda 74), Svec, Svento, Fort (Necid 78).

Referee: Tommy Skjerven (Norway).