sport

Robbo earns his Spurs on return

O'Hara: Lashes home the opening goal

Robinson was back in goal as Tottenham reached the last 16 of the UEFA Cup - putting himself in the frame for Wembley this weekend.

The former England number one was dropped last month and missed 10 games but was granted a return after Radek Cerny's blunder allowed Slavia Prague back into this third-round tie a week ago.

It meant Robinson and Spurs only had a slender 2-1 lead to protect from Prague.

The north London side extended their advantage when Jamie O'Hara netted early on but Matej Krajcik's goal - which left Robinson with no chance - meant a nervous second half.

Spurs could not conserve energy for the Carling Cup final on Sunday against Chelsea, but at least the likes of Darren Bent were given a chance to impress.

Head coach Juande Ramos confirmed in his programme notes: "Nobody has secured their position in the side yet and so it is important that every single player puts in a maximum performance to demonstrate they are in the best condition to be considered for future fixtures."

Robinson impressed too, with a string of saves to keep his side ahead.

Ramos must decide whether to go with Robinson's big-match experience this weekend or leave him out if he feels the goalkeeper has been scarred by a year of inconsistency.

The 28-year-old was even named skipper for the first half before Robbie Keane was introduced. The omens are not necessarily good - Jermain Defoe was given the armband just before he left for Portsmouth recently.

Robinson was a bystander for the opening exchanges, with Spurs extending their aggregate lead in the seventh minute through O'Hara's first goal for the club.

Frantisek Drizdal failed to clear a cross convincingly, allowing Dimitar Berbatov to control on the edge of the area. O'Hara took over and his left-footed drive took a deflection off Martin Latka to wrong-foot Michal Vorel.

Robinson started Spurs' next attack with a long ball to Pascal Chimbonda. The full-back was fouled on the touchline and Vorel was required to push Tom Huddlestone's set-piece to safety.

Vorel also saved well when Huddlestone tried his luck from long distance midway through the half, and Aaron Lennon made a mess of the rebound when he had time to spare.

With Spurs looking for shooting practice ahead of their Wembley final, O'Hara flashed a volley wide when he met Teemu Tainio's hanging cross.

O'Hara was in the thick of the action and set up Bent with a cross just before the half-hour mark - but the striker's effort struck the crossbar after looping over Vorel.

Midfielder O'Hara also went just over with a dipping free-kick, while a foul on him by Krajcik earned a booking.

Robinson was finally called into action 10 minutes before the break and he was down well to parry Jaroslav Cerny's low, swerving shot.

Keane came on at half-time and almost scored with his first touch when he hooked a Lennon cross just wide.

But Slavia got back in the tie in the 50th minute when Krajcik stabbed in at the far post after Daniel Pudil curled a cross beyond the Spurs defence.

Keane had a strike ruled out but it was his team-mates who appeared to be offside.

Chimbonda was replaced by Steed Malbranque on the hour - and worryingly for Spurs headed down the tunnel for treatment.

There were more concerns when Drizdal was given a free header in the next move but his effort went straight at Robinson.

David Strihavka then brought a diving save from Robinson and also struck the post as the visitors sensed panic.

Robinson was needed to push Milan Ivana's free-kick around the post as Spurs held on, before Bent struck the crossbar again for the hosts in the closing stages.