Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham v AC Milan
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Champions League as Tottenham look to book a place in the quarter-finals when they host AC Milan at White Hart Lane. The north London side need only a draw to progress following their 1-0 win at the San Siro in the first leg. Email me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk[LNB] Tottenham 0-0 AC Milan (7.45pm) Aggregate: 1-0 FTTottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Modric, Sandro, Pienaar (Jenas 70), Van der Vaart (Bale 66), Crouch (Pavlyuchenko 83).Subs: Cudicini, Hutton, Defoe, King.[LNB]AC Milan: Abbiati, Abate, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Jankulovski (Antonini 70), Boateng (Merkel 76), Flamini (Strasser 87), Seedorf, Robinho, Ibrahimovic, Alexandre Pato.Subs: Amelia, Papastathopoulos, Oddo,Yepes.[LNB]Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium) [LNB]22.00: The Champions League continues next week when Chelsea and Manchester United play their last 16 ties, but there is more European football to come this week.[LNB]Check back tomorrow when in the Europa League, Liverpool travel to Braga at 6pm and following that, Manchester City face a tricky tie at Dynamo Kiev. Sportsmail will provide live coverage of both.[LNB]From here that is all from me, thank you for following and good night.[LNB]21.59: So Spurs join Schalke, Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.[LNB]A gusty performance in both legs show Spurs can indeed park the bus and park it parallel too.[LNB]Didn't mention him much tonight but Sandro was exceptional in the midfield, he really has come on leaps and bounds this season. [LNB]21.56: Bit of a damp squib in the final 10 minutes there and neither side will be happy with a point.[LNB]Birmingham though do climb out the bottom three, dropping West Ham into 18th on goal difference.[LNB]Everton climb a place into ninth.[LNB]21.54: Full-time: Everton 1-1 Birmingham[LNB]21.52: Another set-piece from Everton but another disappointment as Johnson heads Baines' cross clear. Despite Birmingham's struggles he has been a rock at the back this season.[LNB]21.50: Three minutes added on.[LNB] Job done: Spurs players celebrate at the final whistle[LNB]21.49: Everton still the only side looking to score but with two minutes left they are not creating chances. They have an opportunity here though as Baines lines up a free-kick close to goal, but his shot cannons off the wall.[LNB]21.46: The goalscorer for Everton comes off with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov replacing Heitinga, the Russian has been pretty hit and miss in recent weeks.[LNB]21.44: Everton win their eighth corner of the game, but despite having the ball outside the little box, Baines' corner comes to nothing.[LNB]21.43: After weathering a heavy storm Birmingham have neutered the Everton attack for a moment and this looks to be heading for a draw....then I did say that there would be a goal at White Hart Lane so what do I know?[LNB]21.40: Ten minutes to go at Goodison Park and that is where our focus is right now, Everton on top right now.[LNB]21.38: There has been another goal in Schalke and it's the hosts that have scored again. An injury time strike from Farfan makes it 3-1. Valenica are tumbling out.[LNB]21.35: Huge roar from the home fans at the final whistle, Tottenham are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League![LNB]21.33: Full-time: Tottenham 0-0 AC Milan (Tottenham win 1-0 on aggregate)[LNB]21.32: Or do they? Some one touch stuff from Milan sees Robinho shoot just over from the edge of the box, they get a corner but Spurs win a free-kick for an infringement as it's taken.[LNB]21.31: Three added minutes at the Lane, Spurs looking good to hold out here as they play with their heads intact.[LNB]21.29: Chance for Everton to sneak in front but after pouncing on a Roger Johnson mistake, Louis Saha's shot is superbly blocked by Mutch.[LNB]21.28: It's the final throw of the dice from Milan who throw on Rodney Strasser for Flamini. Very tense inside the ground.[LNB]21.26: Not seen much of Bale, but Spurs not really that keen to attack. Five minutes left for Spurs to hold out but they win a corner.[LNB]21.24: Here comes the change with the Russian replacing Crouch.[LNB]21.23: Heavy Milan pressure here as Spurs ready Pavlyuchenko to come on.[LNB]21.21: Just 10 minutes left for Spurs to hold out at White Hart Lane, the hosts are fading a bit.[LNB] Enlarge Balancing act: Jermaine Beckford attempts a shot at goal for Everton[LNB]21.19: That was close. After some good play from Milan, Pato fires a stinging shot that just clips the side netting as it goes wide. Gomes was never going to get it.[LNB]21.17: Youngster Alexander Merkel is on for Boateng and according to Fabio Capello, this kid is the real deal.[LNB]21.15: Another penalty claim from Spurs but Lennon's cross although strikes Antonini on the arm is far from deliberate.[LNB]21.14: A sub from both sides as Luca Antonini replaces Jankulovski and Jermaine Jenas is on for Pienaar.[LNB]Ten minutes gone in the second-half at Goodison Park, still 1-1.[LNB]21.10: On 66 minutes Bale enters the fray, replacing Van der Vaart. Moments later he is blocked on the Spurs byline by quite a cynical push from Flamini. I have seen players booked for that and he perhaps should be sent off there.[LNB]21.08: What a chance for Milan! Gomes blocks Robinho's close range effort but he can't clear it and after some pinball in the six yard box, the Brazilian fires wide. [LNB]21.05: A dangerous challenge and by guess who? It's Flamini and it's the EXACT same challenge he committed on Corluka in the previous leg, he is booked after this time clattering Assou-Ekotto.[LNB]Pato is booked seconds later for not being 10 yards from a free-kick.[LNB]21.02: Spurs more in the game this half but it's very nervous around the stadium, you just can't see this ending 0-0.[LNB]Reminds me of watching Sven's England in major tournaments when they would try and defend a 1-0 lead. Always ended in tears didn't it.[LNB] Saviour: Gallas clears off the line for Tottenham[LNB]20.59: Again it's Lennon down the right but his cross finds Seedorf this time, who in trying to control the ball sees it hit his thigh then his outstretched arm, before going behind for a corner. That to me is a penalty.[LNB]20.57: Schalke have turned it around and now lead after Mario Gavranovic's close range effort hits both posts before going in.[LNB]20.56: Spurs are becoming a little predictable here, all their attacks lead towards crosses to Crouch at the far post and although he wins the header, Milan are quick to pick up the pieces after.[LNB]20.54: Good even start to the half, Milan respond through Flamini, who reacts first to Pato's blocked shot but fires wide across goal.[LNB]20.52: Half-time: Everton 1-1 Birmingham[LNB]20.51: There is our first booking, Lennon catches Marek Jankulovski unaware as he counters in his own half and the midfielder responds with a professional foul that swipes away the winger's legs.[LNB]20.49: That is poor from Crouch. Lennon, blocked from running down the right, cuts inside and hits a left foot cross to the striker at the far post.[LNB]Free in space he must at least hit the target but he elects to nod across goal where there is no one to tap it in, should have gone for the shot all day long.[LNB]20.47: Spurs get us going again.[LNB] Back in business: Hetinga equalises for Everton[LNB]20.42: With only Lennon as a speedy winger, Milan doubled up on marking him that half and as such restricted Tottenham in their attacking play.[LNB]For now I think Harry will resist changes and the urge to throw on his weapon of choice Bale, but I can't see Milan playing another half like that and not scoring.[LNB]20.39: GOAL! EVERTON 1-1 Birmingham[LNB]Brilliant from John Heitinga. He fires the Toffees level with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box, much deserved from the hosts too.[LNB]20.37: Half-time in Schalke too of course, where if the scores stay the same at 1-1 we will be heading for extra-time.[LNB]20.34: Very shaky from Tottenham who are not on the back foot as much as Arsenal were last night, but there is going to be only one team scoring at this rate.[LNB]But if Spurs can hold out for another 45 minutes then a quarter-final spot is the prize. All 'ifs' and 'buts' though.[LNB]20.31: Half-time Tottenham 0-0 AC Milan[LNB]20.29: Spurs just ending the half in Milan territory, but Abbitai has had a far too quiet night as the hosts elect to shoot from distance.[LNB]Assou-Ekotto the latest after blasting wide 40 yards out.[LNB]20.26: All square at Schalke after the home side equalise through a well struck Jefferson Farfan free-kick.[LNB]20.24: It's all last ditch defending from Spurs. Gallas has had to get a few crucial blocks and clearances in the last five minutes and Harry Redknapp will be desperate for half-time. [LNB] City slicker: Jean Beausejour (right) heads Birmingham in front against Everton[LNB] [LNB]20.21: GOAL! Everton 0-1 BIRMINGHAM[LNB]The visitors take the lead through Jean Beausejour who beats Tony Hibbert to a header from Jordon Mutch's cross.[LNB]20.20: Not a bad effort from Van der Vaart as his low 25-yard strike is comfortably saved by Abbiati, it's what Tottenham are reduced to at the moment.[LNB]20.17: Milan are the much better team here and should be in front. Pato manages to beat the offside trap but his low shot across goal is parried by Gomes before Assou-Ekotto clears.[LNB] Lucky boy: Pato goes past Gomes but Gallas (left) managed to get back to clear off the line[LNB]20.16: Double substitution at Goodison Park. Seamus Coleman is on for the injured Mikel Arteta for Everton.[LNB]For Birmingham, David Murphy replaces David Bentley, that one does not look like an injury dictated sub though. Still goalless.[LNB]20.15: Not a bad effort from Van der Vaart as his shot just clears the crossbar, but Abbiati had it covered.[LNB]20.14: Spurs win their first attacking free-kick after Seedorf brings down Luka Modric 35 yards out. He seems to win the ball there though with a sliding tackle.[LNB]20.11: Madness from Gomes! Pato leaves Gallas for dead as he runs into the box and goes past an on-rushing Gomes who is in no man's land.[LNB]His squared ball finds Robinho whose shot cannons off Benoit Assou-Ekotto and is heading in, before William Gallas clears off the line.[LNB]20.08: Another Milan free-kick after Boateng again goes down platoon style from the slightest touch from Lennon, but Spurs again deal with it comfortably.[LNB]The momentum in this game swinging back Milan's way.[LNB]20.07: Valencia are in front at Schalke through a Ricardo Costa strike, It's 2-1 on aggregate to the Spanish side.[LNB] Tussle: Tottenham's Sandro (left) tangles with Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic[LNB]20.05: Spurs responding with attacking play themselves. After Milan finally beat Crouch to a header it falls straight to Van der Vaart's whose volley is deflected wide for a corner.[LNB]20.03: Crouch is proving to be a real problem in the air, he wins another header off a Pienaar cross but Van der Vaart just can't reach it as it trickles out for a goal kick.[LNB]20.02: We are underway at Goodison Park.[LNB]20.01: Milan starting to dominate and Boateng wins a soft free-kick after minimum contact from Sandro 35 yards out.[LNB]Ibrahimovic elects power across goal but Heurelho Gomes parries it away for a corner.[LNB]20.00: It's disappointing though as Pato's ball in is cleared by first man Sandro.[LNB]19.59: Dangerous free-kick for Milan after Pienaar brings down Robinho near the right corner flag.[LNB]19.56: No signs of Milan freezing here, they are playing some good passing moves as Pato and Robinho especially look lively but Spurs coping easy enough so far.[LNB]19.54: Small threat from Milan as Pato's ball across the six yard box is met by no one, but the Spurs front two link up again as Van der Vaart is just a yard short of Crouch's knockdown with Flamini clearing.[LNB]19.52: There is that Crouch/Van der Vaart link-up play. Lennon's cross to the far post is headed into the six yard box by Crouch but Christian Abbiati just beats the Dutchman to the ball.[LNB]19.50; Clarence Seedorf, so ineffective in the first leg plays a great ball over the top for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but Michael Dawson just pokes the ball behind for a corner before the Swede can shoot.[LNB]19.47: Early sighter from Van der Vaart. Pienaar makes inroads into the centre before laying off the ball to the Dutchman who shoots just wide, bright start from Spurs.[LNB]19.46: Milan kick-us off as they play towards the Paxton Road end.[LNB]19.43: Teams are out at White Hart Lane but here is some more news on the Premier League's 8pm kick-off:[LNB]Everton boss David Moyes makes one change to his side for the Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham at Goodison Park.[LNB]Toffees captain Phil Neville is absent having picked up a hamstring problem in Saturday's 2-1 win at Newcastle, so John Heitinga came into the first XI with Mikel Arteta taking the armband.[LNB]For the visitors, Liam Ridgewell is fit enough to keep his place in the Blues defence despite a recent groin complaint, while striker Nikola Zigic - who had been suffering with a similar issue - is named as a substitute, as he had been at the weekend for the 3-1 defeat to West Brom.[LNB]Martin Jiranek returns to the team having recovered from his thigh injury, with Sebastian Larsson and Jordon Mutch also handed starts by manager Alex McLeish as Curtis Davies and Obafemi Martins drop to the bench.[LNB]19.40: OptaJoe is on hand to provide some assurance for you Spurs fans:[LNB]15 - Since 1992/93, 15/16 teams who managed a 1-0 away win in the first leg of a CL knockout tie have qualified for the next round. Spur.[LNB]19.37: Only one previous meeting between these sides at White Hart Lane.[LNB]Two Steve Perryman goals saw off Milan 2-1 in April 1972 which helped Spurs knock the Italians out of the UEFA Cup.[LNB]19.34: One player I'm slightly sad not to see playing is Gennaro Gattuso. Nothing like a pantomime villain to spice things up.[LNB]But we do have Mathieu Flamini, who as an ex-Gunner already left his mark in more ways than one after that horror tackle on Vedran Corluka in the first leg.[LNB]19.31: Team news from Goodison Park:[LNB]Everton v BirminghamEverton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Heitinga, Osman, Arteta, Rodwell, Saha, Beckford. Subs: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Coleman, Anichebe, Mustafi, Duffy, Baxter.Birmingham: Foster, Carr, Ridgewell, Johnson, Jiranek, Bentley, Larsson, Bowyer, Mutch, Beausejour, Jerome. Subs: Doyle, Murphy, Phillips, Martins, Zigic, Parnaby, Davies.Referee: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire)[LNB]19.28: Tottenham meanwhile haven't won since that night, losing to Blackpool and drawing with Wolves...conceding six goals in the process. Whose your money on now?[LNB]19.25: There is no denying Milan are on form by the way. Since their defeat to Spurs they have won all three of their league games and sit top of Serie A by five points.[LNB]19.22: If things do turn pair shaped tonight, at least they have a few strong names to look for on the bench. All six of their playing subs have had a run in the side (King excluded for obvious reasons) and Roman Pavlyuchenko just has a habit of striking when you least expect it.[LNB]19.19: A full glance at the team news from White Hart Lane:[LNB]Harry Redknapp stays true to his word and names Gareth Bale on the bench for Tottenham's Champions League showdown against AC Milan tonight.[LNB]Bale has struggled to recover from a back injury and Steven Pienaar takes his place on the left, while Redknapp opts to play Peter Crouch alongside Rafael van der Vaart up front, with Jermain Defoe dropping to the bench.[LNB]Vedran Corluka returns at right-back and there was a surprise place among the substitutes for club captain Ledley King, who has missed the last five months with a groin injury.[LNB]Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri names Mathieu Flamini and Robinho in an attacking XI which also includes former Spurs midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.[LNB]19.16: Little glance to the Premier League which even though may not be in the spotlight is still important.[LNB]Everton's season appeared to be over after losing to Reading in the FA Cup but a home win tonight would leave them only three points off a potential European spot.[LNB]For Carling Cup winners Birmingham they are in the bottom three, but three points for them and they would rise to 13th...it's just that close at the bottom of the table.[LNB] Dropped: Despite breaking his Premier league duck at the weekend, Jermain Defoe is only named as a sub[LNB]19.13: A welcome sight back for Spurs is Rafael van der Vaart back in the first XI, much has been made of Bale's influence on the squad but the Dutchman has been equally important in Tottenham's march in to the last 16. Him and Peter Crouch have formed a good partnership in attack this season....this game has goals written all over it.[LNB]19.10: Looking at the Milan line up it appears they are going for broke, but keep an eye out for Kevin Prince Boateng. Harry Redknapp deemed him surplus to requirements at White Hart Lane last season and after helping dump Spurs out the FA Cup in the semi-finals with Portsmouth, is after seconds with Milan.[LNB]19.07: Just like last night, a draw will take the north London side through to the Champions League quarter-finals, the only result that can send this game to extra-time is a 1-0 Milan victory. That should cover all the bases.[LNB]19.04: Gareth Bale the super sub perhaps? For Spurs' sake hopefully he won't be needed but Milan can't be as bad as they were in the first leg and crucially Alexandre Pato starts for the visitors. He was perhaps their only bright spark at the San Siro.[LNB]19.01: Not a major focus, but I will also keep you updated on the other last 16 clash in the Champions League where Schalke host Valencia.[LNB]It's 1-1 on aggregate and here is the line ups from that game:[LNB]Schalke 04 v ValenciaSchalke 04: Neuer, Uchida, Howedes, Metzelder, Escudero, Farfan, Kluge, Matip, Jurado, Raul, Gavranovic. Subs: Schober, Sarpei, Edu, Papadopoulos, Charisteas, Karimi, Draxler.Valencia: Guaita, Bruno, Navarro, Ricardo Costa, Mathieu, Banega, Topal, Joaquin, Pablo, Mata, Aduriz. Subs: Cesar, Albelda, Soldado, Vicente, Oliveira, Costa, Jordi Alba.Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)[LNB]18.58: Here is that team news:[LNB]Tottenham: Gomes; Corluka, Gallas, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Sandro, Modric, Pienaar; Van der Vaart; Crouch. Subs: Cudicini, Bale, Hutton, King, Jenas, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko.[LNB]Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Jankulovski; Boateng, Flamini, Seedorf; Pato, Ibrahimovic, Robinho. Subs: Amelia, Strasser, Papastathopoulos, Oddo, Merkel, Yepes, Antonini.[LNB]18.55: Good evening to you, still suffering dizziness from Barcelona's passing last night? I have just the tonic for you...more Champions League football![LNB]Yes, the Spanish giants (via a couple of dodgy decisions) were too strong for Arsenal in the end but there is still three English representatives in the Champions League. Tonight Tottenham will hope to make sure there is at least one Premier League side in the quarter-finals when they host AC Milan.[LNB]In addition there will be major updates on Everton and Birmingham in the Premier League, so we should have a great night in front of us. Team news coming up.[LNB] Standing tall: Peter Crouch scored the only goal in the first leg and is likely to lead Tottenham's attacking line[LNB] Flamini: I'm an Arsenal man, I love to duel with Spurs. I'm just like NapoleonSpurs boss Redknapp says it's 'touch and go' whether Bale will face MilanAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinionAll the latest Everton news, features and opinionAll the latest Birmingham news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Gareth Bale, Jonas Eriksson, Harry Redknapp, Peter Crouch, Ledley King, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Jermain Defoe, Liam Ridgewell, Phil Neville, Michael Dawson, Alex McLeish, David Moyes, Obafemi Martins, Sebastian Larsson, William Gallas, David Bentley, Luka Modric, David Murphy, Jermaine Jenas, Fabio Capello, Louis Saha Places: London, Barcelona, Birmingham, Milan, Newcastle, Belgium, United Kingdom
