TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR TOOK Basel to extra time and penalties in their Europa League quarter-final tie against but were eliminated after the shoot-out went horribly wrong.
Two Clint Dempsey goals and brave defending got Spurs to the brink of a semi-final but poor spot-kicks from Tom Huddlestone and Emmanuel Adebayor proved costly. A Diaz goal gave the Swiss a 4-1 win on penalties.
The slick conditions caused by heavy rain in Switzerland has let to some less than pretty defending. Spurs’ attacker Clint Dempsey benefited from some comedy antics midway through the half to give his side the lead.
As TV3 commentator Trevor Welch quipped, “It’s a Basel Fawlty moment.” Zing.
The lead lasted just five minutes as Mohamed Salah scored past Brad Friedel with the outside of his boot. That goal made it 3-3 on aggregate.
Aleksander Dragovic headed in Basel’s second on 49 minutes but the Londoners pressed and were rewarded when Dempsey controlled well and slammed home his second. Jan Vertonghen was sent off in the final 10 minutes of normal time to put Spurs at a one-man disadvantage.
Michael Dawson and Brad Friedel were needed ojn numerous occasions to thwart the home side but, ultimately, Tottenham could not take their penalty chances.
Newcastle United, the other English side in action this evening [Chelsea won earlier], drew 1-1 with Benfica. They took the lead, through Papiss Cisse, on 73 minutes but Eduardo Salvio made it 1-1 as the Toon pressed for a decisive goal, making it 4-2 on aggregate for the Portuguese.
