April 07, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 18, 1428

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LONDON, April 6: A controversial penalty from top scorer Frederic Kanoute and an Alexander Kherzhakov header gave holders Sevilla a 2-1 first-leg lead over twice winners Tottenham Hotspur in their UEFA Cup quarter-final on Thursday.

Their victory was marred by crowd disturbances involving English fans for the second night running that mirrored the trouble in Rome on Wednesday when police clashed with Manchester United fans in ugly scenes during a Champions League tie.

European soccer's governing body UEFA are sure to open a a second investigation after television pictures showed riot police confronting Tottenham fans at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

Britain's ITV said eight people had been taken to hospital – seven Tottenham fans and a policeman – with injuries that included cuts, bruises and a broken wrist, following the skirmishes.

Away from the stands, it was a triumphant night for Spanish sides with Osasuna and Espanyol also establishing first-leg leads.

Osasuna, in their first European quarter-final appearance, pulled off a remarkable 3-0 away win at 1988 winners and former Champions League finalists Bayer Leverkusen while Espanyol overcame Benfica 3-2, although the Portuguese side fought back from 3-0 down to take renewed hope into next week's return.

In the other quarter-final, AZ Alkmaar were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Werder Bremen.

Sevilla, trying to become the first team to retain the trophy since Real Madrid in 1986, were stunned after 68 seconds when Ireland striker Robbie Keane scored at the second attempt from six metres.

The home side were level on 19 minutes. Kanoute, the leading scorer in Spanish football, beat former team mate Paul Robinson from the penalty spot after the England keeper was controversially penalised for hauling down Adriano despite appearing to get two hands on the ball.

The winner came nine minutes before the break when uncertain defending allowed Julien Escude to head back into the danger area and Russia striker Alexander Kerzhakov headed home.

Osasuna can start looking forward to a semi-final clash with Sevilla or Spurs after stunning Leverkusen at the BayArena.

The Pamplona side never looked back after centre back Javier Cuellar headed home a corner just 47 seconds into a highly-entertaining game.

Both sides spurned good opportunities until the Spaniards made the game safe with a quick-fire double.

David Lopez, who misses the return through suspension, blasted in a second on 71 minutes and substitute Pierre Webo made it 3-0 with a sublime chip just over a minute later.

Espanyol appeared to be well on their way into the last four after Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani put his side 3-0 up before the hour with his 10th goal in this season's competition.

Pandiani's header added to first-half goals from Raul Tamudo and Albert Riera but Benfica woke from their slumbers to score twice in as many minutes through Nuno Gomes and Simao Sabrosa.

Werder Bremen and AZ Alkmaar will start all-square in Germany after the Bundesliga side repelled the Dutch side's free-scoring attack.

Collated results

Quarter-final, first leg matches:

Bayer Leverkusen 0 Osasuna 3

AZ Alkmaar 0 Werder Bremen 0

Sevilla 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Espanyol 3 Benfica 2

—Reuters