Spurs close in on place in the last 16
Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane, who now have 36 goals between them this season, struck in the first half at the Strahov Stadium to provide a cushion for Juande Ramos’ side as they prepare for the Carling Cup final.
In sub-zero temperatures in the Czech Republic capital, Spurs were cruising until Cerny dropped the ball under his crossbar and David Strihavka finished.
Spurs will face PSV Eindhoven or Helsingborg if they successfully defend their lead in the second leg of the tie next week, although their eyes may be on Wembley the following Sunday, that is if they are not already.
Spurs captain Robbie Keane lamented a poor second half. Asked whether Spurs should have put the tie beyond Slavia’s reach, Keane replied: “We certainly should have. In the first half we played brilliantly, they didn’t get a sniff.
“We came out in the second half and I don’t know what happened, we knew they would come out and make it difficult for us. The second half performance was not good enough.”
As for Cerny’s mistake, Keane said: “Things happen, he made a mistake but he’s big enough to accept that.
“We’ve won the game, that’s the most important thing. But we wanted to get the job finished today.
“There’s still a bit left in this game, we’ll get them back to White Hart Lane and there’s no reason why we can’t go through.”
Jermaine Jenas set up both first-half goals, the opener coming in the fourth minute after a typical surging run.
He was stopped on the edge of the area but Berbatov pounced on the loose ball and his low volley caught goalkeeper Martin Vaniak poorly positioned. It was the Bulgaria striker’s 16th of the season and his third in as many Spurs games.
The Czechs almost replied immediately. Daniel Pudil and Jaroslav Cerny had efforts on goal but neither tested Spurs stopper Cerny, and the hosts appeared to be rusty without a rhythm of games behind them.
The visitors grabbed their second on the half-hour mark when Keane struck his 20th of the season.
Spurs worked the ball out of defence with Jenas again making the yards. His ball split the Slavia defence and Keane finished calmly.
It looked like Spurs would add to the scoring, even if they were not playing at full tilt.
Berbatov forced Vaniak into a double save just before the break when he almost finished off a flowing move with flicks from Keane and Aaron Lennon confusing the hosts.
Slavia defender Mickael Tavares did have a glimpse of goal but headed over when he met a free-kick. Up to that point it was a quiet night for Spurs goalkeeper Cerny, who was given a warm reception by home fans on his return.
But his night changed with 21 minutes remaining when he failed to deal with Hubacek’s hanging cross. and Strihavka poked the ball over the line.
Vaniak, Drizd’al, Latka, Brabec, Hubacek, Suchy, Tavares, Jarolim, Jaroslav Cerny, Pudil, Strihavka. Subs: Vorel, Sourek, Ivana, Belaid, Volesak, Kalivoda.
Cerny, Tainio, Woodgate, Zokora, Chimbonda, Lennon, Huddlestone, Jenas, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane. Subs: Robinson, Lee, Kaboul, Taarabt, Bent, O’Hara, King.
Claudio Circhetta (Switzerland)
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