Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane both struck in the first half to earn Tottenham Hotspur a 2-1 win in the first leg of their UEFA Cup last-32 clash with Slavia Prague.

Spurs comprehensively outplayed Slavia Prague in the first half but looked increasingly troubled as the match went on, especially after David Strihavka pulled one back for the hosts.

Juande Ramos' men got off to the perfect start with Berbatov putting them ahead after just four minutes.

Jermaine Jenas made a run into the area before running into trouble in the form of Erich Brabec. But Berbatov was on hand to try his luck from the edge of the area, having received the rebound, and somehow the ball managed to dribble past all of the Slavia Prague defenders as well as Martin Vaniak and into the back of the net.

Slavia Prague looked terrified of their opponents in the opening stages and barely touched the ball in the first quarter. Then just as they were beginning to show signs of playing themselves into the match, Spurs struck again.

Jenas was again the man to set up the opportunity for Tottenham with a defence-splitting pass for Keane to chase. Vaniak raced out to the edge of the box in an attempt to put Keane off his stride but only succeeded in forcing the Republic of Ireland international into a shot.

Keane calmly slotted the ball underneath Vaniak's legs and, with no-one back in defence for Slavia Prague, was wheeling away to begin his celebrations long before the ball dribbled into the back of the net.

Spurs had a whole host of chances to extend their lead before the interval but Vaniak proved the hero for Slavia Prague producing a series of outstanding saves, particularly from Berbatov but also from Tom Huddlestone and Jenas.

The introduction of Milan Ivana, on for Daniel Pudil, after the break seemed to revitalise the home side who capitalised on some lazy play by Spurs to look threatening for the first time in the match.

Still Tottenham looked to be cruising to a comfortable win until the 69th minute when a shocker from the visiting keeper, on loan at Spurs from Slavia Prague, gifted the home side the chance to pull one back.

Jaroslav Cerny whipped a cross in from the left wing for the Slavia Prague which Radek Cerny should have dealt with in his sleep. But the Spurs keeper seemed to think the ball was drifting out for a corner and failed to spot Strihavka loitering at the far post.

When the ball dipped, Cerny found himself out on position and unable to hold on allowing the Slavia Prague striker to tap home easily and set up a tense final 20 minutes.

Berbatov almost had a chance to restore Spurs two-goal lead when he drew a free kick just outside of the area after going to ground during a tussle with Mickael Tavares.

But Vaniak again produced a world-class save turning the ball behind for a corner from the top right-hand corner of the net and it was Slavia Prague who finished the match in control with Martin Latka only just failing to pull his side level when his header bounced off the bottom side of the cross bar and just outside the goal-line before being cleared.

But despite the lapse in concentration in the second half Tottenham will feel confident of progressing after the return leg at White Hart Lane in oen week's time.

Pippa Davis / Eurosport