MILAN: Peter Crouch's strike in the 80th minute earned Tottenham a 1-0 win over seven-time champions AC Milan in a tense and dramatic round of 16 first-leg clash at San Siro this morning.

The hitman tapped home from 12 metres after a blistering burst of pace from Aaron Lennon unlocked the Milan defence to seal the win and with a vital away goal.

The match was nothing like the pulsating 4-3 loss to Inter Milan at the same venue last November or the 3-1 Spurs win in the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane, but manager Harry Redknapp will not care one bit.

Milan were lucky to end the match with 11 men after an horrific late lunge from Matthieu Flamini on Vedran Corluka, and some shocking behaviour from Gennaro Gattuso, who appeared to headbutt Spurs assistant manager Joe Jordan after the final whistle having pushed him in the face during the game following an argument on the touchline.

Crouch's goal — his sixth in eight European matches this season — decided the contest.

However, Crouch warned there was still work to do after the memorable win.

"We've got an away goal, and we take it back to White Hart Lane and the job's not finished," Crouch told Sky Sports.

"I thought we deserved to win in the end. We limited them to not many chances, we were the better side and we defended magnificently.

"Milan are a fantastic side and they can score goals away from home. At home we're confident we can beat anyone, we've proven that against Inter."

Crouch was also one of the people to have an altercation with Gattuso in a game which saw the fiery Italian booked — which means he is suspended for the second leg — and then headbutt Jordan.

"He always tries to spice things up, thankfully we didn't rise to it," said Crouch.

"Top players don't enjoy losing and that's what he's displayed tonight."

Spurs were the better side in the first-half as Milan seemed to struggle to get into the game, but the second- half introduction of striker Alexandre Pato rejuvenated the Serie A leaders and only two outstanding saves from goalkeeper Gomes kept his side in the game.

"It was a fantastic performance. The lads were absolutely brilliant," said Redknapp.

"In the first-half, I thought, we were far the better team. We knew they would come and start putting some pressure on us and it's hard not to drop deep when they put you under pressure but the lads were magnificent at the back and we hit them on the break and got the goal. It was well deserved.

"Sandro came in and did a great job in midfield with Wilson Palacios. Stephen Pienaar worked his socks off and Lennon was always a threat. I said at halftime that we had to keep giving the ball to Lennon because he had the beating of the leftback all day.

"The back four stood firm. Obviously I lost Corluka and took a gamble bringing on Jonathan Woodgate but I just felt his experience would be vital when it came to where to be at the right time.

"The whole team were magnificent. You heard the crowd singing and it's a great night for them. A great night for Tottenham."

It was not all smiles for Spurs though as Corluka was left on crutches after the Flamini tackle.

"A red card all day," said Redknapp.

"How do you not get a red card for that? Absolute disgrace. Uefa should look at it surely and they should do something about it. That was a dangerous, dangerous tackle."

What about Gattuso's action on Jordan?

"They lost their heads at the end of the game. Of all the people to pick on, don't pick on Joe!" he said.

LONDON: Arsenal defender Johan Djourou brushed off suggestions he is frightened of facing Lionel Messi (pic) when they entertain Barcelona in the last 16 first-leg clash at Emirates Stadium tomorrow (3.45am).

Last season Messi scored all four goals in Barca's 4-1 victory over the Gunners in the secondleg of their quarterfinal tie at Nou Camp that ended in a 6-3 aggregate victory for the Catalans.

However, Djourou is confident of keeping Messi quiet this time around.

"You don't get scared. If I was scared I wouldn't be playing," Djourou told Fifa's website.

"Messi is just a great player. He has shown that across the world, but I am excited. We know about Messi but it's not only about him. There is Xavi and Andres Iniesta as well.

"Every game is a big game, I don't see it as bigger because it is Barcelona. They are the best team in the world, but for me and the team it is a normal game.

"We want to be focused and go through.

"We all know what they can do, we've watched their games. We have to be focused for 90 minutes, but don't forget we have great players going forward as well."

Djourou knows it is vital for Arsenal to win tomorrow.

"It would show we have great ability, not only in the Premier League but also in Europe. We could show the world Arsenal are a big club. It is great, we are not conceding many goals.

"We have good defenders at the club and are getting good results."