Source: Official Site

Qualification from UEFA Cup Group D now looks probable after a further three points were added to our account courtesy of Jamie O'Hara's winner against Nijmegen on Thursday evening.

The midfielder planted his head on the ball in the 14th minute in what turned out to be the decisive moment.

It was an opening without incident for the first 13 minutes until the deadlock was broken in explosive fashion. Gareth Bale cut back and Fraizer Campbell rattled the ball off the underside of the bar before an alert O'Hara was on hand to nod beyond Gabor Babos to give us a deserved lead.

Not that too much had happened before this, but the pressing was coming from the team in blue and Gomes was left inactive in front of the Spurs travelling support.

There were six changes to the starting XI that defeated Blackburn at the weekend, with four Academy youngsters drafted onto the substitutes bench, including John Bostock and Adam Smith, who have previously enjoyed first team experience since the beginning of pre-season.

Nijmegen did present a goal threat on 22 minutes when Moestrafa El-Kabir drilled in a shot that Gomes did well to foil and, when the loose ball was about to be seized upon by a home body, Chris Gunter launched himself into a brave and effective block - effectively a goal-saving challenge from the young Welshman.

The home side attempted to forge a way back into the game as half-time approached but were met with strong resistance from the likes of Gunter, Dawson and Woodgate, while Bale was effective both defensively and offensively on the left flank.

The home support, packed inside the compact Goffertstadion, were not losing heart and there was a good atmosphere on a chilly night in eastern Holland.

They could have been left a bit deflated when O'Hara thumped in a shot from just outside the area, which Babos needed his reflexes to be at their sharpest to repel, while the rebound did not fall kindly for Campbell, but David Bentley managed to steer back into the danger area, with this particular alert averted.

Bentley attempted to arrow towards the top corner in the opening exchanges of the second half before his cross was nodded with some conviction goalwards by Darren Bent, requiring a fine save from Babos to tip over the bar.

Nijmegen inched their way back into the contest as the game reached the hour mark with some useful possession, while all the time Gomes remained confident in his work and cross gathering, very much in tune with his central defenders.

Bent made way for Aaron Lennon with 20 minutes left on the clock, with the little winger stocking up the midfield and bursting forward at his considerable pace.

Woodgate executed a superb tackle on El-Kabir on 77 minutes to deny perhaps Nijmegen's most effective player a clear route on goal.

Academy striker Jon Obika was granted a first team debut with seven minutes remaining, before Ryan Mason was bought on for stoppage time, which passed without significant threat to our advantage.

Positives for Harry

Harry Redknapp had plenty of plus-points to ponder after Thursday night's UEFA Cup victory over NEC Nijmegen.

First and foremost, the victory at the Dutch Eredivisie's McDos Goffertstadion all-but books a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

Jamie O'Hara struck the only goal of the game in the 14th minute, following in to head home the rebound after Fraizer Campbell's effort from Gareth Bale's cross struck the underside of the crossbar.

We had the better of a scrappy encounter with Heurelho Gomes only really forced into one save of note in the first half.

His display was one of a number of highlights for Harry. "I thought once we got in front we were comfortable," he said afterwards.

"We were nice and solid at the back, it was another clean sheet and with what he had to do, Gomes looked very assured. A couple of clean sheets won't have hurt him and I think his confidence is coming back.

"It was great to see Jamie score the goal and he worked hard. Zokora was excellent as well, he covered the ground and he's a great professional.

"We also managed to get a couple of the kids (Jon Obika, Ryan Mason) on for their Tottenham debuts, so that was good as well.

"Winning is a good habit and I think six points should be plenty."

We now top Group D with those six points and only one club - Glasgow Rangers - have failed to progress to the knockout stages with that total since groups were introduced in 2004-05. That covers 32 groups contested in four seasons.

However, we can clear any doubt by taking a point against Spartak Moscow in our final group game at the Lane on December 18.

In Thursday night's other action, Spartak Moscow beat Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 in Croatia.

Group D now reads as follows...
Tottenham played 3/6 points
Udinese 2/6
Spartak Moscow 2/3
Dinamo Zagreb 3/3
NEC 2/0