Spurs suffer penalty pain as Ramos cup run ends

JUANDE RAMOS’ dream of a UEFA Cup hat-trick ended despite a stunning Dimitar Berbatov volley as Tottenham crashed out on penalties against PSV Eindhoven in Holland last night.

Ramos has endured a few scares winning the competition with Sevilla in the past two seasons — goalkeeper Andres Palop scored at this stage a year ago — and this time Berbatov came to his rescue.

The Bulgarian’s ferocious drive cancelled out PSV’s advantage from the first leg before the shoot-out, with PSV earning a place in the quarter-finals after Jermaine Jenas and Pascal Chimbonda failed from the spot.

Ramos tried everything to get the better of PSV but his luck in this competition finally ran out.

Berbatov created Spurs’ first genuine chance when he charged down a clearance from Carlos Salcido. The ball was squared to Steed Malbranque but the finish was just wide of Gomes’ near post.

From a corner, taken by Jenas, skipper Ledley King was found at the near post and flashed a header across the face of Gomes’ goal — but it was a frustrating first half for Spurs.

Spurs then started going for broke. Bent raced through but squared to Robbie Keane rather than taking a shot himself.

Keane then looped a header over the crossbar and almost took advantage when Gomes decided to chest a ball rather than use his hands — but PSV were able to clear.

It was Berbatov’s moment of brilliance, in the 82nd minute, which sent the game into extra-time. He met Chimbonda’s driven cross with a first-time volley on the edge of the area that left Gomes with no chance.

Berbatov could have won the game with a volley in extra-time, as could Malbranque, but it went to penalties — and ended in heartbreak for the Premier League side

Robinson saved Danko Lazovic’s spot-kick but Gomes also saved from Jenas and Chimbonda went wide to send PSV through.

PSV: Gomes, Kromkamp, Marcellis, Salcido, Alcides, Mendez (Bakkal 112), Simons, Culina, Afellay (Dzsudzsak 82), Koevermans (Lazovic 72), Farfan.

TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Chimbonda, Woodgate, King (Lennon 61), Lee (Bent 46), Jenas, Zokora, Huddlestone, Malbranque, Berbatov, Keane (O’Hara 86).

Referee: Matteo Trefoloni (Italy).