Bent the ace in stunning comeback by Spurs

TOTTENHAM staged a stunning second-half comeback against Aalborg to edge closer to the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup and maintain Juande Ramos’ unbeaten record.

Darren Bent grabbed the winner after Dimitar Berbatov and Steed Malbranque had levelled the scores.

Only 113 seconds were on the clock when Thomas Enevoldsen stroked the ball and into the top corner from the edge of the area before Kasper Risgard stabbed in, eight minutes before the break.

Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderer’s dream of progressing is still alive thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser against Aris from Stelios Giannakopoulos.

Aberdeen’s hopes of advancing suffered a blow as they were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid. Eleven people were injured when supporters of Aberdeen and Atletico Madrid clashed before their match, Spanish media said. Police intervened to separate the rival supporters who pelted each other with bottles and other objects in the Vicente Calderon stadium.

Hakan Sukur breathed new life into Galatasaray’s UEFA Cup campaign with a virtuoso display as the Turkish giants claimed a 3-0 victory over 10-man Panionios in Athens.

Fiorentina held AEK Athens to a 1-1 draw in a Group C encounter.

Helsingborg climbed to the top of Group H with a commanding 3-0 victory over hapless Austria Vienna.

Former Leeds man Eirik Bakke’s first goal in this season’s competition gave Brann the 2-1 victory over 10-man Dinamo Zagreb which keeps their chances of qualifying from Group D alive and kicking.

FC Zurich are looking good for the knockout phase after their second win in two Group E games, a 2-0 triumph against Toulouse who are now eliminated from qualification contention.

* UEFA are expected to announce today three Premier League clubs will qualify automatically for the Champions League group phase from 2009.

The fourth-placed Premier League will have to play a qualifying round against another side from the leading leagues in Europe.