Source: Telegraph
Tottenham heartened despite defeat to Shakhtar Donestsk in Uefa Cup
Europe will have to wait for the Harry Redknapp revolution. Having led both Portsmouth and Spurs on European adventures this season, what amounted to Tottenham's reserves pushed Shakhtar to the limit but Giovani's marvellous early second half goal was ruled out by Fernandinho's 86th minute reply. [LNB]Now Spurs can turn their attentions to Sunday's Carling Cup final and their first-team should be buoyed by a spirited if not always persuasive performance against dogged opposition. [LNB]Redknapp made wholesale alterations ahead of Sunday's final, with 10 changes from the side that won 2-1 at Hull on Monday, with Wilson Palacios, cup-tied and ineligible to face Manchester United, the only survivor. [LNB]Redknapp said: 'I thought we were terrific and very unlucky not to win the game.' Indeed, Spurs could now be facing the prospect of a trip to Moscow, to face CSKA, had they been awarded a penalty in the second half for a foul on Fraizer Campbell. 'It was a blatant penalty; he was pushed by one defender and chopped by another'. [LNB]There were positives to come out of the tie, such as Jamie O'Hara's return from injury ahead of Wembley and the impressive full debut of 18-year-old Jonathan Obika. [LNB]Spurs' best early threats came from Obika, who attempted a 31st minute drive then saw another effort sail just off target. Gareth Bale and Pascal Chimbonda forced saves out of Andriy Pyatov, while Palacios was also thwarted as Spurs increased the pressure. [LNB]And, in the 55th minute, Spurs scored a stunning goal to keep the tie allive. Campbell's deft touch set up Giovani who found the top left corner for his first Spurs goal. [LNB]And four minutes later Shakhtar were fortunate to survive what appeared a blatant penalty when Campbell was pushed in the back by the unfortunately-named Razvan Rat. [LNB]With the incentive handed to Spurs, the home side pushed forward in waves, urged on by their fans. But Fernandinho took advantage of poor defending to secure the Ukranians' passage. [LNB]Match details[LNB]Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Gomes; Gunter, Dhimbonda, Huddlestone, Gilberto (Bostock 77); Giovani, Palacios, O'Hara (Parrett 71), Bale; Obika, Campbell. Subs: Jansson (g), Butcher, Smith, Mason, Townsend. Booked: O'Hara, Palacios. Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1): Pyatov; Srna, Ishchenko, Chygrynsky, Rat; Fernandinho, Lewandowski; Ilsinho (Gay 81), Jadson, Willian (Hubschman ht); Gladkyy (Moreno 61). Khudzhamov (g), Duljaj, Kucher, Seleznov. Booked: Lewandowski, Hubschman. Referee: P Tagliavento (Italy). [LNB]
