Tottenham show a different side

Throughout Tottenham's Champions League campaign, they have been lauded for their attacking style and exciting football.

But last night's shut-out against AC Milan showed they possess something a lot of us doubted they had: steel.

For it wasn't the attacking qualities of van der Vaart, Modric, Lennon and Bale which saw them through, it was the likes of Sandro, Gallas and Dawson who deserve most of the credit.

Sandro was outstanding again. He has struggled to adapt to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, but his performance in both legs against Milan shows the quality he possesses. It's only a matter of time before he proves it in the league.

Milan were a side packed with talent, with the likes of Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Pato probing for the entire 90 minutes. But for all the pressure they put on Spurs, they didn't create many clear cut chances.

Yes, Robinho's shot was deflected and cleared off the line. And yes, Pato came close late on when he hit the side netting, but there wasn't one time in the game where it seemed inevitable Milan would score. They had no real clear cut chances.

And that was in large part down to Sandro. He broke up the play and drove Spurs forward, his determination shining through on many occasions.

But he's more than just a defensive midfielder. At times in the game he was deep in Milan's half, pressurising opponents and ensuring they didn't have much time on the ball. He looks a special talent.

And then there was Gallas. After this display, he must surely be accepted into the Spurs 'family' despite his past links with fierce rivals Arsenal.

His goal-line clearance to deny Robinho in the first half in many ways reminded me of his save in the 2005 Champions League semi-final for Chelsea against Liverpool and Luis Garcia. On that occasion, the assistant referee wrongly awarded the goal, but there was little chance of that happening this time with the extra 'goal-line' official on hand to make the correct decision. Maybe there is a future for these extra officials.

Michael Dawson just seems to be getting better and better, and for me must be one of England's top two centre halves.

He kept tight on Milan's forwards and was instrumental in keeping Ibrahimovic quiet. He has come a long way in the last year or two.

But so have Spurs. Two and a half years ago, when Harry Redknapp jumped ship from Portsmouth to join Tottenham, it seemed like the impossible job just to keep them in the Premier League.

They were rock bottom, playing with no confidence and were a side lacking in ideas under Juande Ramos.

But a bit of wheeling and dealing here and there and Redknapp quickly turned it around. He must surely be regarded as one of the top managers in European football right now. He is the only option for the England job when it comes available after EURO 2012, and that is a credit to him rather than a damning statement on the standard of English coaches.

Milan did surprise me yesterday. I did say that for as long as the game was 0-0, they were always in the game, but I didn't expect them to make as big an impression as they did.

They were solid at the back, with the dependable Nesta battling through illness and ensuring Peter Crouch was kept as quiet as he could have been.

Robinho was lively. There were a couple of occasions when he perhaps could and should have scored, but he showed a willingness to work which Manchester City fans never saw during his time there.

Similarly, Pato always looked a threat, forcing a good save from Gomes and hitting the side netting late on. He says Milan didn't deserve to lose, but the fact is that they failed to score during 180 minutes against England's fifth-best team.

It wasn't the sort of game we both wanted and expected, but it was packed with nerves and drama and showed what the Champions League is all about.

Tottenham have been brilliant in the competition so far, but surely they can't win it in their first season at this level. Can they?

They will be praying for a tie against Shakhtar or Schalke, with a tie against either of these teams representing a real opportunity for Spurs to claim a semi final place. From there, who knows?

They should have a chance to win against anybody the way they play, but as 'Arry said after this game, "Anyone but Barcelona."