Tottenham’s dream European adventure continued at the San Siro on Tuesday night as Peter Crouch grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 victory over AC Milan. The match ended in controversy as Gennaro Gattuso become enraged with Tottenham support staff and appeared to aim a headbutt.
Despite playing without the injured Gareth Bale, the hat-trick hero when Spurs last played in this stadium in a 4-3 defeat to Inter Milan, Spurs put in a controlled and professional performance that belied their relative inexperience on this stage.
Crouch struck 10 minutes from time on a lightning counter-attack in a half otherwise dominated by the hosts.
It puts the English side in a strong position ahead of the second leg at what will surely be a white hot White Hart Lane in three weeks time.
Given that Tottenham are playing in their first season in the Champions League under its current format and Milan are seven-time kings of Europe, it was surprisingly the visitors who settled quickest.
They opened up their hosts after just five minutes with a fine move as a long cross from Vedran Corluka found Crouch, who controlled the ball on his chest but then slipped at the crucial moment and was crowded by Gennaro Gattuso before firing off a rushed shot.
On 11 minutes another great move from Spurs saw Corluka put Aaron Lennon in behind Luca Antonini but Christian Abbiati dived out to punch his cross off Crouch’s head.
More good work from Spurs ended with Rafael van der Vaart scuffing a shot from 20 yards.
Abbiati had to come off with a head injury and was taken to hospital, to be replaced by Marco Amelia.
Milan’s only chance of note was a Zlatan Ibrahimovic free-kick that didn’t trouble Heurelho Gomes.
Just before half-time Van der Vaart tried his luck from distance but Amelia tipped it over the bar.
And just after the restart he beat the goalkeeper with a clever chip that sailed just wide of the post.
Milan finally threatened on 50 minutes as Gattuso stood the ball up and Mario Yepes met it with a bullet header that Gomes saved brilliantly with one hand.
Mathieu Flamini was then very lucky to stay on the field for a horror two-footed lunge with studs showing on Corluka, receiving only a yellow card.
Corluka had to be replaced with Jonathan Woodgate.
On the hour Gomes then made another point blank save from a Yepes header.
Milan were bossing the game by this stage and Flamini had a shot charged down that looked headed goalwards.
Spurs then hit Milan with a rapier counter-attack as substitute Luca Modric sent Lennon scampering away and he skinned Yepes, who tried in vain to bring him down, before squaring for Crouch to slot into an unguarded net.
Michael Dawson threw himself in front of a Robinho effort as Milan made an injury time rally.
And Ibrahimovic had the ball in the net with an acrobatic volley that was disallowed for a marginal offside.
The game ended with ugly scenes as Gattuso appeared to aim a headbutt at Spurs assistant manager Joe Jordan, igniting a scuffle involving several players and staff.
David B
Guest
Mind you, it is nice to see Joe Jordan with his teeth in.....
betamax
Roar Guru
Joe Jordan shouldn't have been anywhere near the pitch in the first confrontation and Gattuso had every right to push him off in the first instance. However after the siren Gattuso was definitely at fault. He's a horrible little thug who's best days a re behind him. He also should know better than confront an AC old boy like Jordan. Spurs looked the goods and considering they were without Bale, they should cream them back at the Lane. How good do they look on the attack? Lennon proved once again Italian clubs hate pace on the flanks and always look exposed in breakaway situations. Crouch again proved he is a big match player and was a nuisance all night for AC. Not a Spuds fan, but hope they do well in Europe.
Midfielder
Guest
Hearts on the sleeve stuff ... hope he gets a year ban he is another Muscat but with a tad more skill...
Art Sapphire
Guest
Jordan reminded Gattuso that he scored more goals for AC Milan. The little man did not take it to well :)
preciouspress
Guest
Spurs played very well and their players behaved admirably in not being provoked by the antics of Gattuso, Yeppes and by Flamini's horrific tackle. Performances such as this, bode very fair for Tottenham to become a contender for European and Premier League honours. A final thought: Joe Jordon was a fearless and frightening striker and the devil in me wishes he might have shown Gattuso what mindless provocation deserves. The saint in me is glad he held back.