Lean Keane allows Spurs to survive Cerny blunder

First-half goals from Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane had Spurs seemingly cruising to victory until Cerny's horrific 69th-minute blunder presented David Strihavka with a simple tap-in.

With the second leg next Thursday at White Hart Lane, two away goals should see Spurs make it to a likely last-16 meeting with PSV Eindhoven and allow them to channel their energies into the business of a Carling Cup Final appointment with Chelsea three days later.

But boss Juande Ramos insisted his focus would not turn to Wembley until Slavia had been eliminated. 'Before we finish this tie, we are not going to think about it,' he said. 'All our efforts will be dedicated to the second leg.

'We really controlled the play for the first hour but then we became nervous. We could have enjoyed a better result, more definitive, but we cannot change how it finished. We let Slavia come back.'

It was a view echoed by Spurs striker Robbie Keane. 'In the first half we played brilliantly and they didn't get a sniff,' said the Irishman. 'We came out in the second half and I don't know what happened. It was not good enough.'

Spurs beat Slavia in the UEFA Cup qualifying round last season and progressed to the last eight, only to come up short against Sevilla. The manner of Sevilla's victory set in motion Tottenham's controversial pursuit of Ramos.

The Spaniard has revitalised Spurs since replacing Martin Jol in October, with his emphasis on improving the fitness and eating habits of his players, as well as their shattered confidence.

They may have more kilos to shed before Ramos is satisfied, but Spurs' improved conditioning was in evidence again. The fact this was Slavia's first competitive game after a two-month winter break certainly helped Tottenham's cause, even if the sub-zero temperatures and hard pitch did not.

The harsh conditions did not present a problem to Dimitar Berbatov. He needed three minutes and 24 seconds to hand Spurs the lead. Jermaine Jenas broke forward and the ball fell invitingly to the Bulgarian, who placed a shot past Martin Vaniak from 20 yards.

Aaron Lennon came close to adding a second for Spurs on 26 minutes, producing a smart stop from Vaniak at his near post, but the visitors did not have to wait long to double their advantage.

Tom Huddlestone played a neat pass to Jenas, who squeezed the ball to Keane. The forward charged into Slavia's box before sliding the ball beyond Vaniak for his 20th goal of the season.

Spurs could have been out of sight two minutes before the break and Slavia had Vaniak to thank for producing a superb double save to deny Berbatov. Huddlestone then tested Vaniak yet again with a powerful drive.

The home fans were gracious enough to grant former player Cerny a hero's welcome as he trotted out to keep goal in front of them for the second half.

And just two minutes after the restart, Huddlestone nearly wrapped up matters, crashing a shot against the angle of post and bar. Keane then fluffed yet another chance, shooting over the bar from Lennon's cut back.

Such profligacy almost hurt Spurs when Cerny gifted his former club a route back.

The 33-year-old keeper waited an age for David Hubacek's looped cross to drop over his bar. Then, having misjudged the flight of the ball, he fumbled, allowing former Norwich flop Strihavka to stab home.

With spirits raised, Slavia went in search of the equaliser and Spurs found themselves hanging on in a game they had dominated.

Ramos stopped short of criticising Cerny, but admitted the occasion may have affected his keeper.

'Mistakes can always happen — that is the world of football and today it was Cerny's turn,' said the Spaniard. 'You don't dwell on that too much. It must be very difficult for him to be at his former home and play.'

Until Cerny's mistake, it had all been remarkably easy for Spurs.

SLAVIA PRAGUE (4-2-3-1): Vaniak; Drizdal, Brabec, Latka, Hubacek; Tavares, Suchy (Volesak 83); Jarolim (Kalivoda 60min), J Cerny, Pudil (Ivana 46); Strihavka. Booked: Hubacek, Ivana, Tavares.

TOTTENHAM (4-4-2): Cerny; Tainio (O'Hara 60), Woodgate, Zokora, Chimbonda; Lennon, Huddlestone, Jenas, Lennon; Berbatov, Keane. Booked: Tainio, Jenas, O'Hara.

Man of the match: Jermaine Jenas.

Referee: Claudio Circhetta (Switzerland).