Spurs battle to beat 10-man Hapoel

LONDON, England -- Dimitar Berbatov marked his return to Tottenham's starting line-up with a goal as the English club put their UEFA Cup Group G campaign back on track with a lackluster 2-0 win away to Hapoel Tel-Aviv on Thursday.

The striker issued a statement before the match committing himself to the London side following much speculation about his future, but the Bulgaria international played well within himself against the struggling Israeli outfit.

The visitors scored both goals within the first 31 minutes, and failed to capitalize after Gal Shish was sent off for a second yellow card four minutes after the half-time break.

The Premier League club could not make their wealth of possession count against a team who are bottom of their domestic league with no wins -- and only four goals -- from eight matches this season.

But it gave new manager Juande Ramos -- who won the tournament twice with his previous club Sevilla -- a second victory since taking over from Martin Jol.

And it meant Tottenham bounced back from the 2-1 defeat at home to Spanish side Getafe in the opening group game two weeks ago which proved to be Dutchman Jol's last match in charge.

Hapoel had the better of the early action as Bebars Natcho scuffed a shot wide and then warmed the palms of keeper Paul Robinson with a 25-yard volley.

But Tottenham slowly took charge and went into a 26th-minute lead through striker Robbie Keane, who smashed a fine volley past keeper Vincent Enyeama after setting Steed Malbranque free down the left.

And French midfielder Malbranque was also involved in the second goal five minutes later when his cross from a similar position was nodded in at the near post by Berbatov -- whose uncomfortable post-goal clinch with skipper Keane did little to dispel the rife rumors that he would be happier elsewhere.

Keane thought he had won a penalty soon after, with the Irishman's shot appearing to hit the arm of defender Gabriel Dos Santos after Berbatov's initial effort was saved, but the referee awarded only a corner.

Berbatov's general demeanor was very low-key, but a crude foul on the forward by Shish sparked angry exchanges between both sets of players -- and ended up with the duo both being booked.

Full-back Pascal Chimbonda powerfully headed over the bar from the subsequent free-kick supplied by Jermaine Jenas, as it seemed only a matter of time before more goals followed.

However, the second half was a different story as Tottenham lost their rhythm despite Shish being sent off for a poor late tackle on winger Aaron Lennon in the 49th minute.

Ramos replaced Malbranque with Jermain Defoe after 55 minutes and Keane was also taken off in favor of fellow forward Darren Bent soon after missing a good chance to score on 65.

Robinson then did well to save at the feet of Fabio Junior after Natcho played him through as Michael Dawson was twice exposed in quick succession at the heart of Tottenham's defense.

Bent, who started up front along with Defoe against Middlesbrough last weekend, had a chance to cap the game with a goal in the 88th minute but was denied by desperate defense and the woodwork.

The $32 million summer signing from Charlton took a fine through ball from Defoe and rounded the keeper, but his shot hit the lunging Amor Manzor and trickled onto the post before being cleared.

In Thursday's other Group G game, Danish side Aalborg snatched a 1-1 draw at home to Anderlecht.

The Belgian champions took the lead in the 59th minute when Marcin Wasilewski scored with a right-footed effort from Lucas Biglia's out-swinging corner.

But substitute Mattias Lindstrom earned the Danes a point from their opening match when he scored from close range with four minutes left.

In Group A, Zenit St Petersburg came from behind to win 3-2 against Larissa in Greece.

The Russian league leaders led through birthday-boy Pavel Pogrebnyak's 39th-minute volley, but Nektarios Alexandrou leveled from a Georgios Fotakis corner just before the hour mark.

Alexandrou then set up his provider to put Larissa 2-1 ahead in the 62nd minute but Konstantin Zyrianov equalized from a pass by substitute Alejandro Dominguez.

And a cross by Domnguez allowed Fatih Tekke to score the winner from close range with 12 minutes remaining.

English club Everton secured a second successive victory in Group A after winning 2-0 away to German Cup winners Nuremberg.

Mikel Arteta fired home an 82nd-minute penalty after substitute Victor Anichebe was held back by Berti Glauber.

And young striker Anichebe sealed victory six minutes later when he shrugged off Jawhar Mnari after bursting free down the right, slotting the ball past keeper Jaromir Blazek. E-mail to a friend

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