TOTTENHAM 1 SHAKHTAR DONETSK 1:GIOVANI DOS Santos' stunning strike against Shakhtar Donetsk was not enough to prevent Tottenham's second string from crashing out of the Uefa Cup.
Harry Redknapp rested his first-team players ahead of the League Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday – but Giovani at least showed the Spurs boss he has options for Wembley.
The Mexico midfielder could have added another but Spurs failed to find the goal they needed to force extra-time, with Fernandinho grabbing a late goal to seal Shakhtar’s place in the last 16.
This clash was always the distraction before the important business of Wembley at the weekend, illustrated by tickets still being on sale on the day of the game.
Only Wilson Palacios remained from the side that defeated Hull on Monday, while youth-team striker Jonathan Obika was given his first senior start – having only played one reserve match this season.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a promising full debut, shaving the post on the half-hour mark then stabbing just wide before the break as Spurs chased the tie.
Giovani’s moment came 10 minutes into the second half. Bale clipped the ball inside from the left and Campbell turned it around the corner as he got clattered by a Shakhtar defender. Giovani picked it up 40 yards out, surged into the penalty area and unleashed a vicious drive into the top corner.
He could have levelled the tie moments later but was inches away from Gilberto’s cross before Fernandinho ended Spurs’ hopes with four minutes left.
TOTTENHAM:Gomes, Gunter, Chimbonda, Huddlestone, Gilberto (Bostock 76), Giovani, Palacios, O'Hara (Parrett 72), Bale, Campbell, Obika. Subs not used: Jansson, Butcher, Smith, Mason, Townsend. Booked: O'Hara 29, Palacios 90, Chimbonda 90.
SHAKHTAR:Pyatov, Srna, Chigrinsky, Ischenko, Rat, Fernandinho, Jadson, Ilsinho (Gai 81) , Lewandowski, Willian (Hubschman 46), Gladkyy (Moreno 62). Subs not used: Khudzamov, Duljaj, Kucher, Seleznyov. Booked: Hubschman 50,
Referee:Paolo Tagliavento (Italy).
