AC Milan's Pato reacts as Tottenham Hotspur celebrate a draw in their Champions League soccer match at White Hart Lane in London.
AC Milan's Pato reacts as Tottenham Hotspur celebrate a draw in their Champions League soccer match at White Hart Lane in London. Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur booked their places in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a solid defensive performance at White Hart Lane, which game them a 1-0 aggregate victory over AC Milan.

Unlike the expected full-blown attack, Spurs demonstrated their defensive capabilities as well, securing a goalless draw against an AC Milan side who failed to create many clear-cut chances.

In a first half in which Milan had the better of Spurs, Gallas had to clear off the line before Gomes pulled off good saves from Pato, Robinho and Ibrahimovich to keep Spurs in the tie. The Londoners failed to create many chances of their own though, and the closest they came was through Peter Crouch who should have done better with his header early in the second half.

Spurs did press up front in the initial stages of the second forty-five minutes, but as the game wore on, nervousness gripped the Lane and Spurs retreated, aiming to soak in the Milan ventures. Pato came close in one of Milan's best moves after combining with Ibrahimovich, but his well-struck shot rattled the side-netting. In the clossing stages, Robinho tried a first time shot after a lay-off from Ibrahimovich, but the brilliant Gallas, tipped it away for a corner.

Special mention must go to Spurs midfielder Sandro, who deserves credit for an impressive performance in which he offered options going forward while staying solid in defence.

At the final whistle, White Hart Lane buzzed loudly. The Lily Whites have managed to go where their cross-town rivals Arsenal have failed to, and that could well be the sore point between the two sides til they next meet.

It was a disappointing performace as far as Italian leaders Mialn are concerned, though. Despite their domination in the first half, they failed to create enough clear-cut chances to trouble Spurs, and the seven-time champions can have no complaints about the result.

Spurs join Barcelona, Shakthar Donetsk and Schalke 04 in the quarter-finals.

Soccer Vs