Tottenham Hotspur return to European competition after their enforced break, when they received a bye following the expulsion of their round of 32 opponents Feyenoord. Spurs travel to Portugal to play Sporting Braga.

The visitors started the game brightly and could have scored a number of chances but it appeared that Dimitar Berbatov had not packed his shooting boots. Spurs took the lead ten minutes in to the second half when Aaron Lennon broke through two challenges and flick the ball over a defender to Robbie Keane, who in one swift movement controlled the ball with his chest and volleyed the ball over the keeper in to the goal.

Spurs were soon two up and again Lennon was instrumental in the move. This time it was run down the right flank he checked inside and his shot was parried by Santos in the Braga goal, the ball went as far as Malbranque who thumped it into the empty goal.

The home side made a few changes bringing on Diego, Cesinha and Maciel and the changes seemed to work. As Diego was brought down by Gardener in the box and they had a penalty. Braga captain Jorge had his spot-kick saved by Robinson but he managed to squeeze the rebound past the England keeper.

Five minutes later the sides were level when Castanheira whipped in a free-kick from the right wing for Ze Carlos to head home from eight yards. Spurs demonstrated the same resilience as they did on Sunday at Upton Park against West Ham and fought till the final whistle. Their spirit was rewarded when Zokora played Robbie Keane in to the right channel, to put him one on one with the keeper. The Irishman held his nerve and put the ball between Santos’ legs to give Tottenham a one goal advantage and three away goals to take home to White Hart Lane for the second leg.