A Peter Crouch hat-trick ensured Spurs avoided the banana skin and their passage to the Champions League proper with a win over Swiss side Young Boys.

Spurs had lost the first leg in Bern 3-2 having been 3-0 down at one point in proceedings before setting up their avenue into the group stages of the Champions league with two away goals.

And they began the night as they meant to carry on with a header from Crouch after yet another Gareth Bale assist to draw level on aggregate.

But Spurs second was controversial after Jermain Defoe used his arm to control another Bale pass before slotting coolly and sweetly against the inside of the post and in to give Spurs the aggregate lead.

Spurs were by this point dominant in proceedings yet lost Heurelho Gomes to injury at the half-way point after the Brazilian had appeared to call for his replacement during the first half, Carlo Cudicini appearing in goals after the break.

And the home side turned their dominance on the night into a third goal and a huge advantage in the tie with another header from a Bale cross after seeing a previous point-blank shot saved by Young Boys’ ‘keeper Marco Wolfi.

And the rout was complete and Spurs passage to the Champions League group stages ensured when Crouch rounded off a hat-trick from the penalty spot after the rampant Welshman Bale was felled in the area by Senad Lulic – the midfielder seeing a second yellow and therefore red for his troubles.

Spurs now await their fate in the group stages which could potentially be worth £20m to the club.

Attendance: 34,709
Referee: Duhamel