Peter Crouch might have scored the goal but the architect was Aaron Lennon bursting forth leaving Mario Yepes sprawling in his wake.
Spurs shrugged off the loss of Luka Modric and Gareth Bale as they went on the offensive through Rafael Van der Vaart with Sandro and Wilson Palacios bolstering the midfield. A slew of near misses and a goalkeeper change as Marco Amelia came in for the injured Christian Abbiati kept Milan on the backfoot.
On the other hand, Milan looked like they were expecting Spurs to prolong their record of failing to keep a clean sheet. Chances were few and far in between. Massimiliano Allegri opting to keep Clarence Seedorf instead of Alexander Pato was a bit baffling. A realization that dawned too late. Milan redoubled their efforts but Spurs this time were not found wanting. Gomes pulled off a stellar save from Yepes to prevent Milan from levelling.
Milan made waves in other ways as Mathieu Flamini hobbled Vedran Corluka giving Jonathan Woodgate his first start since November 2009. The former Arsenal defender should have been sent off by all indications. Rini Gattuso lived up to his snarling dog reputation headbutting Joe Jordan at halftime.
Spurs now need to hold on at White Hart to keep their Champions League dream alive. Milan will come at them.