Club Brugge home, 2.11.06

Last updated : 03 November 2006 By SpursMAD

Pat Sheehan, The Sun: This hard-fought victory was anything but a close shave as Jermaine Jenas pulled the strings in midfield.

It was anything but perfect in the opening half but all that was forgotten as Spurs ran riot after the break.

Dream Team Ratings Star Man: Dimitar Berbatov (Spurs). Brilliant display topped with two goals.

Darren Lewis, Daily Mirror: The game promised fireworks and nobody inside White Hart Lane was disappointed with this outstanding performance.

The home side gained a measure of confidence from their first strike and created further chances.

But when opportunities came their way, they were guilty of trying to walk the ball in.

The second half began with more of the same frustration in front of goal that had concluded the first.

But just as it seemed proceedings would end with a point, Spurs suddenly found their cutting edge.

Tom Dart, The Times: Simple chances were squandered and superiority was not turned into a lead. A point would have felt like failure to Tottenham Hotspur, but strikers eventually struck and the win came.

Dimitar Berbatov was outstanding, displaying a beguiling blend of potency and creativity.

Aaron Lennon was typically feisty and fleet-footed, though against modest opponents.

Despite Berbatov's equaliser, the sense grew that this might be a night of furrowed brows more than rippling nets as Hossam Ghaly, Jermaine Jenas and Lennon spurned excellent opportunities. However, Tottenham assumed the lead that their superiority merited.

John Ley, Daily Telegraph: Tottenham turned almost total domination into goals with a confident, dominant display full of poise and determination, with the outstanding Dimitar Berbatov leading the way, while Robbie Keane looked comfortable alongside.

Early on Spurs were grateful for the reflexes of Paul Robinson. Yet the threat posed by the Belgians became more evident.

Early in the second half Spurs hit Brugge with a flurry of attacks, which continued when Aaron Lennon was twice denied by the body of Birger Maertens.

However, Spurs deservedly took the lead and confirmed their victory against disappointing opponents.

Paul Weaver, The Guardian: This was probably not one of the stirring evenings of European football that festoons the history of Tottenham Hotspur.

The sublime Dimitar Berbatov linked effortlessly with Robbie Keane.

Spurs were missing many chances, but they eventually went ahead.

Jonathan Blondel looked determined to make an impression but Spurs refused to indulge him.

Jason Burt, The Independent: Dimitar Berbatov was a demon as he gave a signature performance of power and guile, which led his team.

It could have been more than three goals last night as the Belgians proved nothing more than early-round fodder. They were saved from embarrassment by profligacy.

Suddenly chances started to come and finally the dam broke.