Spurs earn Braga rights
Toon hit four but need more
Stanley face points deduction
—– A late Robbie Keane goal gives Tottenham Hotspur a richly deserved 3-2 at Sporting Braga in the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie.
Spurs let a two goal lead slip in Portugal before the Republic of Ireland star hit his second to ensure they return to London with a genuine advantage.
The matchwinner says: “To score three times away is excellent and we’re confident we can build on that at home. We made it difficult for ourselves by conceding two goals but we now fancy our chances back at White Hart Lane.”
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—– Newcastle United seemed almost certainties for the quarter finals after hitting three goals in the first quarter of their first leg game with AZ Almaar.
Trailing 1-4 at the break at St James’ Park, the Dutch visitors regain the initiative in the second-half though and now face a more manageable margin of 2-4 for the return leg next week.
Toon boss Glenn Roeder remains confident: “I have to be positive. We will go there and do a thoroughly professional job. AZ are going to come out and attack - they have to.
“I can certainly see their best form of defence is to attack and they need to do that next Thursday.”
—– At the close of a disappointing display at Ibrox, Brahim Hemdani’s late equaliser salvages a draw for Rangers against Osasuna.
Manager Walter Smith accepts the Glasgow club will have to produce much better in the second leg in Spain: “We did not play at all and the 1-1 draw flattered us. It was the worst performance since I came back to the club.”
—– Accrington Stanley’s immediate return to the Conference appears to be a greater possibility after they are charged by the Football League for fielding ineligible players.
The League Two club are only three points above the bottom two and now face the threat of a points deduction.
Preston North End youth team striker Chris McGrail played twice for Accrington when on work experience at the club and therefore still registered as a scholar with North End.
Stanley won four points in those two games and it is likely they will be chalked off.
There is a further charge against a so far unnamed second player.
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