Berbatov puts Spurs through

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.

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.

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’ congested fixture list has offered Berbatov a chance to shine but also means Spurs boss Martin Jol is juggling his squad.

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 visitors 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.

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 have forced 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: Cerny, Stalteri, Dawson, Chimbonda, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon (Ghaly 81), Huddlestone, Zokora, Malbranque, Keane (Defoe 66), Berbatov.

BRAGA: Paulo Santos, Luis Filipe, Paulo Jorge, Rodriguez (Nem 40), Carlos Fernandes, Frechaut, Madrid, Joao Amaral, Joao Pinto (Cesinha 74), Ze Carlos (Maciel 74), Wender.

Ref: Laurent Duhamel (France).