UEFA Cup woe for Hotspurs

By Justin Palmer

LONDON (Reuters) - Udinese inflicted more misery on hapless Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-0 UEFA group stage victory on Thursday over the London side who contributed to their own downfall through poor goalkeeping and ill-discipline.

Competition favourites AC Milan brushed aside Heerenveen 3-1 to make a confident start in Group E while Sevilla, winners in 2006 and 2007, eased to a 2-0 home win over VfB Stuttgart in Group C.

In-form Udinese's victory over Spurs increased the pressure on under-fire Spanish coach Juande Ramos, whose side prop up the Premier League and failed to finish with 11 men for the second successive match.

Udinese, second in Serie A, were gifted the chance to take the lead midway through the first half when Tottenham keeper Heurelho Gomes failed to clear a backpass and then fouled Fabio Quagliarella to stop the Italian striker gaining possession.

Fellow Italian international Antonio Di Natale swept home the penalty. Spurs, who had two players sent off in their defeat by Stoke City at the weekend, were reduced to 10 men just before the hour when Jamie O'Hara was booked twice in a minute.

A swift break secured the Group D points for Udinese four minutes from time with Simone Pepe firing home.

Milan took a full-strength squad to Heerenveen and Carlo Ancelotti's side made class count, stamping their authority on the game with two goals in the first 23 minutes.

An own goal from defender Calvin Jong-A-Pin, who diverted in Kaka's cross, and a rare appearance on the scoresheet by midfielder Gennaro Gattuso put Milan in control.