Rafael Benitez's men lost 1-0 in Romania but, having recovered from two goals down at Old Trafford to earn an FA Cup replay at the weekend, they will be hoping for a similar comeback at Stamford Bridge.That would keep alive Benitez's ambition of putting at least one trophy on the sideboard before leaving in the summer after a difficult time of it as interim coach.Tottenham coach Andre Villas-Boas knows only too well how poisoned is the Chelsea chalice having supped from it himself, only to be fired midway through last season.England's other survivors, Newcastle, would certainly be more than happy with Europa League success, however maligned the tournament may be compared with the far more lucrative Champions League, where participation itself brings in megabucks as well as far greater kudos.The Magpies have not won a trophy since their 1969 win in the Europa League's distant forerunner, the Fairs Cup.Newcastle welcome Russia's Anzhi Makhachkala after a goalless draw in Russia and Pardew says reaching the quarter-finals is eminently achievable.We have got a real quality team coming on Thursday and our fans are well-educated enough to know that it will be tough for us and we are going to need every one of them in here to make the atmosphere such that we squeeze through," said coach Alan Pardew.
Former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o, Champions League winner with both the Catalan club and Inter Milan, will make his 100th European career appearance.But the Portuguese has clearly learned from the experience by bouncing back on the other side of London.Under his guidance, Spurs, who were denied a place in the Champions League last May by dint of his successor Roberto Di Matteo winning the tournament, have managed to date to keep the Blues at arm's length and currently stand third, two points ahead and seven ahead of North London rivals Arsenal.Spurs, on the other hand, appear bound for the last eight after whipping a pale Inter Milan side 3-0 at White Hart Lane.
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