Tottenham earned a 2:1 victory at Slavia Prague to put themselves in a pole position ahead of the second leg. It could have been a much more emphatic victory though as they completely dominated proceedings for most of the game and only a dreadful howler by the keeper gave Slavia a way back in the game. Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane scored before the break and it was looking like a stroll in the park before David Strihavka pounced on Cerny's mistake to set up a grandstand finish.

Karel Jarolim handed debuts to new signings Strihavka, Marek Jarolim and Jaroslav Cerby while Martin Latkwas was fit enough to make his first appearance of the season at the back. Juande Ramos deployed Teemu Taino as a left-back as Pascal Chimbonda moved to the right given that Alan Hutton was ineligible. Didier Zokora started in midfield as he returned from Africa to make his first appearance since 5 January. Tom Huddlestone replaced the crocked Michael Dawson at the heart of defence as Ledley King was only fit enough to return to the bench.

The visitors wasted little time in setting the record straight and needed four minutes to go in front. Berbatov raced onto a loose ball after Jermain Jenas was dispossessed and fired in a low drive past the keeper to hand his team the best possible start. The hosts looked absolutely unable to assert any sort of pressure and Tottenham were enjoying one of their easiest games so far this season. They hardly stepped up into second gear but were two goals to the good when Jenas set up Keane who easily slotted home. Berbatov was denied by a superb Martin Vaniak save twice in quick succession while Huddlestone fired a couple of efforts agonisingly over as Ramos men were threatening a rout

The second half was a bit tighter affair as the hosts looked more formidable at the back. Still, Berbatov was left unmarked and should have scored but fired just wide. The hosts were back within a shout when Cerny failed to smother an easy David Hubacek cross and Strihavka poked home with a simple finish. The visitors could still have scored but Berbatov's free-kick was pushed away by Vaniak. Slavia were suddenly on the up though and Strihavaka fired into the side netting from a good position. The closest the hosts came was through Erich Brabec who headed against the bar with six minutes left but the Spurs hang on to claim an richly-deserved first-leg victory.

Slavia were woefully off colour and off pace during the first hour of the game and need to improve massively if they are to stand any chance of progressing. Tottenham earned the victory that were looking for but it should have been a much clearer one as they dominated completely.