Defoe 32

Tottenham cruised into the Champions League group stages thanks to a Peter Crouch hat-trick at White Hart Lane.

Spurs’ first European Cup night since 1962 was a wonderful spectacle and occasion.

And once Crouch headed Gareth Bale’s looping cross past Young Boys’ keeper Marco Wolfli on five minutes, the result was in little doubt.

The Liliywhites weren’t at their fluent best, however. And there was huge controversy surrounding their second goal, which put them ahead on aggregate for the first time.

Jermaine Defoe controlled Bale’s pass with his hand before firing his left-foot shot in off Wolfli’s right-hand post from 12 yards. But the officials failed to spot the offence and the goal stood.

An injury to keeper Heurelho Gomes briefly unsettled Spurs. And after Carlo Cudicini replaced Gomes at half-time, Young Boys had their best spell of the night.

But all thoughts of a comeback were quashed on 61 minutes when Crouch firmly headed home Bale’s right-wing corner.

And Bale was provider for the fourth time when he was tripped in the penalty area by Senad Lulic on 78 minutes.

Lulic was sent-off. And Crouch sent Wolfli the wrong way with the resultant penalty, to complete his hat-trick.