Jol has four-sight - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Jol has four-sight

Tottenham may trail 2-1 after the first leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final tie against Sevilla but manager Martin Jol is still confident they can make it through to the last four.

Jol rates his side's chances of knocking out the reigning UEFA Cup holders at 50-50 even though they conceded a first-leg deficit at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium on Thursday night.

"We've got a good chance. It's 50-50. They've got some very good players, three or four outstanding players, but I feel the same applies for us," Jol said.

Robbie Keane's strike inside the opening two minutes gave Spurs not only the perfect start but also a crucial away goal.

However, Sevilla hit back though former Spurs striker Frederic Kanoute and Alexander Kerzhakov before half-time to earn themselves a narrow lead ahead of their return trip to White Hart Lane.

Kanoute's equaliser came from the penalty spot after Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson was harshly adjudged to have brought down Sevilla midfielder Adriano inside the area. Jol was far from happy with that decision, and believes it knocked his side back on their heels.

"I think the penalty decision affected us more than what happened in the stands," said the Dutchman, referring to the crowd disturbances which saw riot police clash with Spurs fans.

"But we came out in the second half and took control of the game. Every time when we pressurised them we created something, so that was good to see. I still feel that we have a chance in the second leg.

"Before the game you could say you would have taken the 2-1, but on the other hand I feel disappointed about the penalty decision and a bit disappointed that we could not convert one of our chances afterwards."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
TV Baftas - in pictures

Best of the Baftas

Stars on the red, white and blue carpet
What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?

Hazard warning

What makes Chelsea and Arsenal target Eden Hazard tick?
You big softie: Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?

You big softie

Has Giles Coren put down his poison pen?
Pop star Paloma Faith, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video

Gay marriage

Pop star, former Labour minister and Tory blogger back gay marriage video
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music

Grandpa Bob

Bob Geldof on grandchildren, activism and the state of music
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon