Tottenham Hotspur 3 Braga 2

Last updated : 16 March 2007 By SpursMAD

Four changes to the starting line-up from Sunday only included one forced change. Robbie Keane for Jermain Defoe, Steed Malbranque for Hossam Ghaly, Tom Huddlestone for Teemu Tainio and Paul Stalteri for Ricardo Rocha (ineligable).

The home side started the sharper and Lennon restored the right wing and Malbranque on the left were causing the Braga defence problems.

In control Spurs surrendered their aggregate lead before Dimitar Berbatov netted his sixth UEFA Cup goal of the season, then the Bulgarian made it two in 13 minutes.

The second half provided much the same as before, with the home side looking for an another high scoring result. However, Braga were back in the tie with a goal just after the hour mark, and Jol responded by bringing on Defoe, so Michael Dawson reclaimed team captaincy.

Steed Malbranque's goal wrapped up proceedings to make the final outcome 6-4 on aggregate.

Martin Jol said: "In the first half we should have scored three or four goals at least, we didn't do that but having said that, I don't think Braga created many chances.

"I think we should have had two penalties in there as well and that would have made it easier. Dimitar set-up the first goal with a one-two with Robbie Keane, the second goal was a great goal and he set-up the third goal with a one-two with Steed Malbranque, so I'm very happy with him."

"They scored with an own goal through Tom and then the free-kick with the big hole in the wall, so that made it exciting. It's probably the story of the season."

"Dawson's great. He was the only central defender left, he knows he has to play every game and he's like a hero for me. He never complains but it wasn't easy for us. Teemu Tainio was going to play but couldn't because of a calf strain and Didier had a problem with his toe, so we had to give him an injection. We had no defenders left, so we brought in Charlie Lee from the reserves. Braga rested a lot of their team at the weekend and it was the scenario you would have nightmares about."

"But we played well, created chances and when you create those chances, you have to punish teams. That would be my only criticism but the main thing was we went through and I'm happy to be in the last eight."

Dimitar Berbatov said: "I'm very pleased with the goals I scored, but it doesn't matter who hits the net so long as the team wins. Tonight it was me, next time it might be someone else and I shall celebrate for them.

Tom Huddlestone said: "I think my last start was Manchester United so it has been a while. It was good to get the win and that's the main thing. Obviously the lads have been on fire recently and it's easier to come into a team when it is doing well and winning.

"We're disappointed with the two goals we let in, unfortunately the goal went in off my head, I thought I would manage to get enough on it but it didn't work out. We had a lot more chances than six goals over two games reflects, and if you look at the performances we should have got more than that. But the important thing was getting through to the next round and we've done it by a 6-4 margin so we've got to be happy with that.
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Steed Malbranque said: "It is good to score against any team, but it was a UEFA Cup game and very important to us. It was a special goal for me and I received a good pass from Berba - I then saw the keeper coming forward and decided to put the ball to the side."

"Now we are waiting for the draw and hoping to progress to the next round as well. The UEFA Cup is important to the club and players because we want to win something and we need to show this on the pitch."

Source: TottenhamHotspur.com