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Palermo power past unhappy Hammers

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ROME, Italy -- Palermo reached the group stage of the UEFA Cup on Thursday when they outclassed West Ham United 3-0 to complete a 4-0 win on aggregate.

Two goals by midfielder Fabio Simplicio and one by striker David Di Michele gave the home side a comfortable win.

But an entertaining contest was overshadowed by the arrest of 20 West Ham fans in clashes with rival supporters and police earlier in the day.

The Premier League side started aggressively at Palermo's Renzo Barbera stadium, with strikers Marlon Harewood and Carlton Cole forcing reflex saves from keeper Alberto Fontana.

But in the 35th minute a deflected shot from outside the area by Simplicio crept in at the post to put the home side ahead.

The Brazilian got his second goal just after the hour mark, latching on to Di Michele's crossfield pass before running into the area and lobbing West Ham keeper Roy Carroll.

Di Michele wrapped up the tie for the Italians soon after, breaking the offside trap and sliding the ball between Carroll's legs.

Robbie Keane grabbed the only goal as Tottenham beat Slavia Prague 1-0 for a 2-0 aggregate in their first round second leg clash.

It has been a difficult start to the season at White Hart Lane, but for all their frustrations in front of goal, Spurs at least have a UEFA Cup group phase to look forward to.

Keane was guilty of two glaring misses in the first half and Mido was just as bad in the final minute when he powered a header wide of the near post.

Nigerian international striker Obafemi Martins claimed his first goals at St James' Park as Newcastle booked their place in the UEFA Cup group stage with a 2-0 victory over Levadia Tallinn.

Martins, signed from Inter Milan for 10 million pounds in the sumer, struck in the 47th and 50th minutes to effectively kill off the tie with his side leading 1-0 from the first leg.

However, substitute Indrek Zelinski pulled a goal back for the Estonian visitors with 25 minutes remaining to give them a glimmer of hope but they couldn't overturn their 3-1 deficit.

The 21-year-old Martin's first goal was a header from a 47th-minute Emre corner.

But there was better to come three minutes later when he smashed a left-foot drive past the keeper and in off the underside of the bar before celebrating with a series of somersaults.

Rangers marched into the group stages of the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 first round victory at home to Norwegian hopes Molde FK.

Goals from Belgian international Thomas Buffel and captain Barry Ferguson gave the Scottish side the comfortable win in the home second leg after the first leg had finished goalless.

Although Rangers manager Paul Le Guen was satisfied with making it through to the next round he was unhappy with his side's performance.

The Frenchman said: "I am relieved to have qualified for the group stages but for me we conceded too many chances.

"There were some good moments but it was not enough and we need to improve.

"I'm happy to be going through as it was the minimum target to get into the group stages and it will help the team grow in confidence."


story.simplicio.gi.jpg

Simplicio scored twice as Palermo hammered home three goals.

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