Besiktas v Tottenham

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Istanbul rarely provides the most hospitable of welcomes for those sides on European excursions to Turkey and it will not be without a little trepidation that Tottenham make the trip to Besiktas.

The Inonu Stadium is the venue for Spurs' first Group B contest of their Uefa Cup campaign and it is likely to be a smoldering cauldron that awaits Martin Jol and his underperforming side.

Although Tottenham are virgins against Turkish opposition, history does look on favourably for Spurs, as Besiktas have never recorded a home victory against English travellers.

Following last season's fine exploits a feeling of expectation circumnavigated White Hart Lane in the pre-season but what has transpired thus far has barely risen above a level of mediocrity.

Just two victories have been garnered from eight Premiership games but Jol is boosted by the fact captain Ledley King is fit to start after missing England's defeat to Croatia with a knee injury.

The unfortune Michael Dawson has also been handed a clean bill of health despite the fact he has been concussed in each of Tottenham's past two games.

Fellow defender Anthony Gardner could feature after a hip injury but will likely have to settle for a place on the bench, whilst Callum Davenport looks unlikely to figure as he nurses a broken nose.

Of further good cheer for Tottenham is the fact Aaron Lennon has made spirited cameos off the bench in recent weeks after recovering from a knee complaint and he could feature on Thursday, from the start, as Hossam Ghaly is all but certainly out with a hamstring niggle.

One man who will be desperate to figure is Jermain Defoe after an excellent performance against Aston Villa in Spurs' last Premiership outing, but he is a doubt with a foot injury picked up on Tuesday, while Mido has not travelled due to injury.

A familiar face will be controlling Besiktas' dugout as Jean Tigana prompts from the sidelines and the former Fulham chief has got his side playing sharp, punchy football according to reports.

Besiktas' midfield normally houses former Manchester United misfit Klerberson but the Brazilian is injured, leaving compatriot Ricardinho - who once had a spell at Middlesbrough - to pull the creative strings.

At the back Mercimek and Zan provide a strong and robust defensive partnership, while Argentine Delgado is clever on the ball when playing off the front men.

Spurs will have to put in a resilient and professional shift if they are to escape from Istanbul with at least a share of the spoils, with Jol having already informed his charges of what to expect.

"It will be a full house and when you hear the noise from that sort of crowd it pushes them on and they battle," he told the club's website.

"The atmosphere is something very different to what you come across elsewhere, they really do make a noise.

"Our fans will go there, have a good experience and give us the support they always do. They will show that Tottenham supporters are among the best in the world."

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Tottenham have opened the group stage of the Uefa Cup with a win following an impressive 2-0 success over Besiktas in Turkey.

The North London outfit went in at the break ahead thanks to Hossam Ghaly's first goal for the club with Dimitar Berbatov's sublime second goal after the interval settling the contest.

The contest resembled more of a boxing match early on with both sides sparring with each other without threatening to deliver that knock-out punch.

Spurs keeper Paul Robinson was a mere spectator in the opening 10 minutes, although Vedran Runje was equally untroubled.

Suddenly the visitors burst into life and Berbatov slid home after Runje parried Danny Murphy's shot, but the Bulgarian was rightly deemed offside.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto tried his luck from distance on 25 minutes after Besiktas could only half clear a corner, although his effort was high and wide of goal.

Shortly after defender Mehmet Sedef had a wayward effort from distance the visitors were ahead through Ghaly after 31 minutes.

Berbatov's through-ball sent Ghaly through the middle and despite his initial shot being saved it rebounded into the Egyptian and bounced into the empty net.

The home side rallied and almost levelled matters after 37 minutes. Burak Yilmaz's free-kick stung Robinson's hands and the former Leeds man was on hand to clear the rebound under pressure from Ibrahim Toraman.

Spurs were close to doubling their lead before the break but Murphy's left-footed shot flew just wide of the far post after good work and a neat through-ball from Berbatov.

The visitors started the second half brightly and Berbatov gave a glimpse of what was to come later after striking a right-footed volley that Runje saved at his near post.

However, Runje and co were helpless to prevent Berbatov bagging Spurs' second just after the hour mark with a fine piece of dribbling and technique.

Robbie Keane set Berbatov free and he charged towards goal and left Baki Marcimek for dead before getting the better of Runje and rolling home into the empty net.

Keane was inches away from netting a third for the visitors but his volley bounced off the floor and onto the crossbar after great work down the right by Berbatov.

Spurs should have added a third in injury time but substitute Jermain Defoe guided his shot wide at the near post, although it mattered little as Spurs eased home to secure the three points.

Source: http://home.skysports.com

[kennethlindheim]

Very good win for Spurs. Great goal by Berbatov.