Spurs fall in spotlight: shoot-out misery for Jenas and Chimbonda

Unfortunately that attention to detail did not extend to practising penalties. The pain of missing the crucial spot-kick fell to Pascal Chimbonda as Ramos's hopes of an unprecedented third successive UEFA Cup floundered against PSV Eindhoven.

Dimitar Berbatov sent the tie into extra time with an exquisite 81st-minute volley just as it looked as if Spurs were heading out.

But with the Londoners holding the advantage in the shoot-out after Paul Robinson saved PSV's second spot-kick by Danko Lazovic, Jermaine Jenas saw his effort saved by Gomes before Chimbonda sent the crucial strike wide.

Ramos had engineered comebacks in the past on the way to lifting the trophy twice with former side Sevilla, and his latest victory last year came courtesy of a shoot-out against Espanyol.

But the Spaniard's Midas touch in cup competitions, which had led Spurs to a surprise Carling Cup win over Chelsea, finally deserted him here in the Philips Stadion.

Ramos said: "Practising penalties has nothing to do with the outcome of them. Any player from the Premier League is capable of scoring a penalty in training. But that has nothing to do with penalties in a game because of the tension and the nerves. It is a situation where you must control your nerves."

In truth, much of the damage was done last week when Gilberto gifted an otherwise uninspiring PSV a vital away goal courtesy of Jefferson Farfan.

The Brazilian's mistake saw him left back in London, but there was a return for Ledley King to partner Jonathan Woodgate in central defence.

But the biggest selection surprise was the relegation of Aaron Lennon to the bench, with fitagain Jenas returning and Tom Huddlestone retaining his place in midfield.

Lacking their usual width, Spurs took until the 17th minute to worry the PSV defence. But with Robbie Keane unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, Steed Malbranque elected to shoot, much to the annoyance of the Irishman, as the ball sailed over the bar.

It was a wasted opportunity for the early goal Ramos had admitted could prove vital to Tottenham's comeback chances.

Indeed, there was precious little to suggest that either side would be adding to the score sheet in the first half.

With 45 minutes remaining to rescue their UEFA Cup hopes, Ramos turned to Darren Bent in a bid to find the crucial away goal, the £16.5million signing coming on for Young-Pyo Lee at the break. But Bent fluffed a great chance less than two minutes after the restart. Moments later Danny Koevermans spurned an opportunity to leave Spurs needing three goals, miskicking Jason Culina's lofted ball and allowing Robinson to gather.

Ramos threw caution to the wind, bringing on Lennon for a tiring King and switching to a back three. His attacking intent paid off. With nine minutes left Berbatov dragged his side back into the competition. Chimbonda chipped in a cross and the Bulgarian dispatched a sweet, rightfooted volley that bounced once before skimming past Gomes.

Just two minutes into extra time, Bent came close to swinging the balance heavily in favour of the visitors, volleying Berbatov's flick just wide of a post. At the other end, Jenas managed to divert Culina's pile-driver for a corner.

Berbatov then sent yet another volley just over. But with the lottery of penalties looming, both sides began showing inevitable signs of tension, although Malbranque did manage to prompt a stunning one-handed save from Gomes in the final minute.

Tottenham were handed the advantage in the shoot-out when Robinson denied Lazovic with his feet. But with the penalty score 4-3 in favour of Spurs, substitute Balazs Dzsudzsak made no mistake for PSV and Jenas saw Gomes save his strike.

With the teams tied at 5-5, Dirk Marcellis's long run-up was enough to deceive Robinson. Up stepped Chimbonda to keep his side in it, but with the pressure weighing heavy on the French defender's shoulders, he sent his vital kick well wide. Disconsolately walking off the pitch, Chimbonda pulled his shirt over his head to hide his emotions.

But Ramos was quick to praise the bravery of all those with the stomach for the task. "You can only miss a penalty if you take one," he said. "Every player who takes one is courageous. I congratulate them for their courage."