Emmanuel Adebayor struck twice as Real Madrid put one foot in the Champions League semi-finals with a 4-0 win over ten-man Tottenham at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Peter Crouch’s red card after 15 minutes compounded Harry Redknapp’s woes after Adebayor had given Madrid an early lead in the Spanish capital. The Spurs striker earned himself an unwelcome Champions League record for the fastest sending off after two bookings after sliding in wildly on Marcelo just seven minutes after being cautioned for a rash challenge on Sergio Ramos.
With winger Aaron Lennon ruled out due to sickness shortly before kick-off, Redknapp was forced to bring in Jermaine Jenas, although Spurs were boosted by the fitness of Gareth Bale.
However, Spurs found themselves on the back foot after just four minutes as Adebayor sent a firm header goalwards, with Luka Modric getting the ball stuck under his feet and failing to clear.
A goal and a man down after 15 minutes, Spurs battled resolutely – and escaped a strong penalty appeal when the ball struck Michael Dawson’s arm – and they went into the break just a goal down, but Adebayor’s header shortly before the hour mark saw the Champions League debutants’ hopes of reaching the semi-finals fade.
Angel Di Maria’s sweetly-struck strike from the edge of the penalty area then saw Spurs’ hopes recede even further, and Heurelho Gomes’ failure to keep out Cristiano Ronaldo’s late volley all but killed the tie.
Meanwhile, in the night’s other quarter-final, holders Inter Milan left themselves with serious work to do after losing 5-2 at home to Schalke.
Dejan Stankovic needed just 25 seconds to volley his side into the lead with a stunning volley from the centre circle, but Joel Matip levelled, just as Edu did before half-time after Diego Milito restored Inter’s lead.
It was all downhill for the Italian champions after the break as Raul netted for Schalke, Andrea Ranocchia scored an own goal and Cristian Chivu picked up his second red card in four days, before Edu notched again to round off a miserable night.
Credit: http://soccernet.espn.go.com
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