HT Tottenham 0-0 Shamrock Rovers: Brush keeping clean sheet

Tottenham rattled the Shamrock Rovers woodwork twice but could not find a way past the Irish minnows in tonight's Europa League Group A match at White Hart Lane.

Shamrock goalkeeper Richard Brush tipped Jermain Defoe's 17th-minute effort on to the bar before Danny Rose hit the goal frame with a wonderful looping effort in a half which the hosts dominated from start to finish without ever looking at their best.

Stephen O'Donnell cleared Roman Pavlyuchenko's header off the line towards the end of the half but the Russian was also guilty of wasting opportunities and Spurs lacked rhythm at times despite Harry Redknapp naming a relatively strong side for the match.

Aaron Lennon made his first Tottenham appearance for a month as manager Harry Redknapp made 10 changes for tonight's Europa League Group A match against Shamrock Rovers at White Hart Lane.

Jermain Defoe was a surprise starter up front alongside Roman Pavlyuchenko and Carlo Cudicini was named in goal ahead of Heurelho Gomes.

Kyle Walker kept his place in the starting XI while former Tottenham man Rohan Ricketts was named among the substitutes for Irish champions Shamrock Rovers.Tottenham were overwhelming favourites to clinch their first win of the group stages against their semi-professional opposition, and dominated the game from the whistle.

Giovani dos Santos was Spurs' liveliest player in the opening 15 minutes.

The Mexican, a largely peripheral figure under Redknapp, played a one-two with Jake Livermore before firing comfortably into Richard Brush's arms with Spurs' first attack of the game.

The former Barcelona forward then saw a powerful shot deflected wide before drawing another save from Brush with a low 30-yard drive.

Dos Santos then released Defoe down the left, he jinked inside and fired a 20-yard shot which Brush tipped on to the post and rebounded to safety.

Pavlyuchenko should have put Spurs ahead in the 20th minute when he found space in the box but he dallied on the ball when 12 yards out and Brush came out to smother the Russian's weak shot.

Rovers rarely threatened and had to wait until the 27th minute to fashion an attempt on goal when Gary McCabe fired well wide with a 30-yard volley.

The game entered a bit of a lull until Danny Rose sparked it in to life with a looping 20-yard shot that beat Brush but rebounded off the bar.

Pavlyuchenko then beat his marker to head goalwards but his effort was cleared off the line by Stephen O'Donnell.

The Russian then found himself in space 20 yards out but fired a yard wide of Brush's goal.

Dos Santos raced in to the box in injury time but was smothered by Rovers defenders and the home side went in at half-time disappointed not to have taken the lead.