By IAN HOLLIDAY
He didn't get on the score sheet this time, but Gareth Bale was once again the best player on the pitch for Tottenham Hotspur against Inter Milan, assisting on goals from Peter Crouch and Roman Pavlyuchenko and giving Maicon fits all night.
Rafael Van Der Vaart opened the scoring in the 18th minute and Samuel Eto'o added to his competition-leading goals total to spoil the shutout as Spurs earned an impressive 3-1 win over Inter in group A. The win leaves the two clubs level on 7 points at the top of the group.
It wasn't a good day for Maurice Edu and Rangers, who fell to Valencia, 3-0, in Spain. Edu played 84 minutes before being subbed out.
In other Champions League action:
In group B, Benfica jumped out to a 4-0 lead at home over group leaders Lyon. The visitors mounted a furious comeback, scoring 3 goals after the 74th minute, but the French club ultimately fell short, losing 4-3.
Barcelona got a goal from Lionel Messi to take a 1-0 lead at FC Copenhagen in the 31st minute, but Copenhagen leveled the score just one minute later, and the teams wound up splitting the points. The draw is great for Copenhagen's chances of reaching the round of 16, as the Danish club now has 7 points through four matches, four better than third-placed Rubin Kazan.
For Barca, which could have secured passage to the next round with a win, the draw is disappointing, particularly for a match they dominated.
Here is a rundown of all of Tuesday's scores:
GROUP A:
Tottenham 3, Inter Milan 1
Werder Bremen 0, FC Twente 2
GROUP B:
Benfica 4, Lyon 3
Hapoel Tel Aviv 0, Schalke 04 0
GROUP C:
Bursaspor 0, Manchester United 3
Valencia 3, Rangers 0
GROUP D:
Rubin Kazan 0, Panathinaikos 0
FC Copenhagen 1, Barcelona 1
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What did you think of Tuesday's results? Surprised neither Barca nor Inter clinched a spot in the next round? Think Copenhagen has a real chance to advance?
Share your thoughts below.
Bale and VDV are for real.
Spurs are ok without those two, about the level of Aston Villa. They can’t compete with the top teams over a long period of time.
Zing!
Bale made Maicon look like Jonathan Bornstein.
Super hilarious. Still, after the Maicongasm that was this last World Cup and last years league play, the guy isn’t a good defender. Which I think in some aspects is a necessary thing to play anywhere on the back line.
Sorry I got them switched in my head for some reason.
Spurs are for real. I wouldn’t worry about Citeh, they have the talent, but not the heart. They also are not yet a team. It will be interesting to see if they can become one.
HE had a decent game and you said it yourself Valencia destroys at the Mestalla. Casi imposible ganarles alli
VDV certainly the signing of the summer.
If Spurs can look this good without Defoe, Dawson or King, they can give any UCL side a run at the Lane. Their problem is going to be recovering after highs like this to go face Bolton away. Maintaining that 4th place spot without a total collapse from City or United will be quite a tall order.
You know when Maurice Edu scored the goal and the own goal? Yeah that was against Valencia
IncrediBALE!
Yeah, I don’t consider him the best LB. He’s not a great forward, either. And now that you mention it, he probably isn’t the best goaltender, either.
Maicon is a RB not LB bro.
tottenham-inter had to be one of the most exciting, attack-minded, free-flowing matches i’ve seen in a long time. absolutely beautiful football from both sides. gareth bale is an absolute force on the left
I’ve never though of Maicon as more than a great attacking player that plays on the backline. Its why I really don’t consider him the best LB, might be the best attacking player at that (and several other positions) but it doesn’t make him the best left back. Hats off to Bale though, he shredded him.
I do believe he scored last time they played each other so doesn’t that render your argument moot
GAreth Bale went from second choice Left Back to one of the best wingers in the Premier League in a short period of time.
As a holding midfielder Edu shouldn’t be judged on how many goals he scores. And he played great against Manchester United at Old Trafford which is probably a tougher game.
Gareth Bale killed Maicon.
A good dip of Copenhagen is better than bad cocaine.
Wow… fantastic result for Tottenham. Great to see some new blood at the top of the EPL, they are for real.. playing with real verve
How many goals did the usa super star maurice edu score? When it comes to real strong teams he struggles. Valencia destroys in the mestalla.