Spurs qualification tempered by crowd trouble

Tottenham reaching the UEFA Cup knockout stages was marred by an incident at the end of their draw against Anderlecht when Didier Zokora appeared to be struck by an object thrown from the crowd.

Zokora needed treatment towards the end of the 1-1 draw at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, with television replays suggesting he was hit by a lighter.

Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson then handed what appeared to be a metal bar to the fourth official after the final whistle.

“I played for four years in Belgium and they hate me,” said Zokora, who played for Genk earlier in his career.

UEFA could take action against Anderlecht – they fined them earlier in the season for crowd disturbances during a Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce.

The home fans were angered by a series of decisions going against them.

“Myself and Pascal Chimbonda went in to make a block challenge and then a few things were thrown, luckily enough they didn’t hit me,” explained defender Michael Dawson.

“Didier went off and I am not too sure what hit him. For him to go off, something must have hit him. I could see some coins being thrown around me.

“If you get injured in the game that is part of football but you don’t expect that kind of thing to happen.”

Head coach Juande Ramos was himself a victim of fans throwing missiles during his time at Sevilla when Real Betis supporters targeted him.

The Spaniard remained diplomatic on the incident, insisting he did not see it, but he said: “This is very bad for the players and those who work in football. ”But I did not see what happened. We have to be left in peace on the pitch and you can’t have objects thrown because somebody could get hurt.“

Ramos is still in the hunt for a hat-trick of UEFA Cups but admits his side needs defensive work if they are to be at Eastlands later this season.

Zokora was part of a makeshift defence following the decision to leave error-prone Younes Kaboul at home.

The Belgians were initially blunted during a first half that lacked excitement, but they showed more adventure in the second half and opened the scoring when Dawson allowed the ball to cross past him and Bart Goor smashed into the bottom corner.

Spurs were level within three minute when Jermaine Jenas was brought down by Jelle van Damme and Dimitar Berbatov sent Daniel Zitka the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Spurs will be mentioned among the favourites for the title but Ramos said: “We’re far from achieving this. We have to wait for the draw, we have to get better because we look a bit vulnerable.”

Assistant boss Gus Poyet said there was calmness in the dressing room after the incidents that soured qualification.

“I think it’s not good for Anderlecht,” he said.

“It’s nothing to do with Anderlecht, there are always a few people.

“The lads were calm but they know how dangerous the situation could be.”