Tottenham registered their first Champions League Group A victory on a highly-dramatic night at White Hart Lane.

The game hinged on controversial officiating, mostly in Spurs’ favour, particularly the award of three penalties.

Spurs’ keeper Heurelho Gomes made a fine right-handed stop from Bryan Ruiz on 12 minutes.

But Tom Huddlestone should have been dismissed for elbowing Marc Branco five minutes later.

Spurs won a 41^st-minute penalty when Peter Crouch and Peter Wisgerhof tangled in the box. Van der Vaart’s spot-kick was saved by a mobile Nikolay Mihaylov.

But he volleyed home Crouch’s knock-down on 47 minutes to put Spurs ahead.

Roman Pavlyuchenko made it 2-0 three minutes later, sending Mihaylov the wrong way from the spot after Gareth Bale had been floored by Roberto Rosales.

Twente’s Nacer Chadli toe-poked a goal back on 56 minutes and they must have fancied their chances when Van der Vaart was sent-off for his second caution five minutes later.

But Spurs were awarded another penalty on 64 minutes, harshly given against Denny Landzaat for handball. Pavlyuchenko placed the spot-kick narrowly past Mihaylov – who kept still this time.

And Gareth Bale drilled home Spurs’ fourth on 85 minutes to give them a flattering victory.