Spurs struggled again last night in a scrappy first half in which both sides failed to keep quality possession.
A second goal would have knocked the stuffing out of Slavia. But the home side upped their pace to rattle the Premiership side.
Dream Team Star Man: Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham). Crucial goal — and a cracker. Pat Sheehan, The Sun
Martin Jol's team were far from spectacular in Prague, but the scoring drought which had plagued the club's start to the season was brought to a halt.
Perhaps due to the importance of the occasion - Tottenham's first European match since November 1999 - there were some nerves in the Spurs camp at the outset as their strikers struggled to make much early impact despite Slavia appearing lacklustre.
Slavia boss Karel Jarolim tried a different approach and suddenly the hosts looked livelier going forward.
Jol replaced Tom Huddlestone with Edgar Davids with 20 minutes left in a bid to protect the lead as Slavia continued to throw men forward with increasing danger, Tottenham held firm when it mattered most. Zokora was arguably Tottenham's man-of-the-match while Jenas was impressive on the right. Martin Rogers, Daily Mirror
A competent display and a deserved victory was a sweet moment for the 3,000 fans who had waited for so long to take flight again.
It was a job well done, little more than that in the Stadion Evzen Rosicky.
Tottenham made a sluggish start. It was not back-with-a-bang fare, far from it, with lost possession a frequent feature of their gentle probes forward.
Slavia contributed to a low-grade first-half contest.
If Martin Jol's reshuffled pack barely appeared inspired, apart from Zokora's relentless energy, they could almost afford to coast their way towards the second leg on September 28. It was as gentle a reintroduction to the continental game as they could have hoped for.
At least Slavia gave it a go in the second half, but Tottenham defended resolutely, none more so than Michael Dawson, an unflappable and, at times, imperious presence. Paul Robinson, the
It was only when Keane came on for the fading Jermain Defoe for a cameo display near the end that Tottenham produced any grand designs on extending their lead.
It had been a long time coming but it was worth the wait.
Jenas scored in the 38th minute, running on to the impressive Didier Zokora's precise pass to thump a low first-time shot from 20 yards into the far corner of the Slavia Prague net.
Spurs should have scored more, but rarely looked in danger of conceding a goal.
Alongside the outstanding Michael Dawson, King protected Paul Robinson to such an extent that the England goalkeeper hardly had a save to make although, when he was called upon midway through the second half, he made a superb double save.
Spurs, in contrast, should have scored more.
Tom Huddlestone looked as composed as his predecessor Michael Carrick. Gerry Cox, Daily Telegraph
Tottenham fans might not have feltl the wait had been made worthwhile just yet.
It was not until the hour mark that Slavia roused from their torpor. Until then Tottenham had largely controlled a scrappy encounter without making the most of their territorial superiority.
Didier Zokora caught the eye. His domineering performance suggested he can be much more than a destructive force. His surging runs from deep gave Tottenham the impetus to break with purpose. The defence were rarely troubled by Slavia.
Tottenham seemed reluctant to exploit their hosts' generosity in the first half. Far too often possession was squandered, with Jenas among the main culprits. They struggled to find any fluency despite their dominance.
Slavia threatened but it was too little too late. Stuart James, The Guardian
Lacklustre Tottenham took the advantage over a poor Slavia Prague side.
Spurs produced a performance that mirrored their rather inauspicious start to the Premiership campaign. Martin Jol's men were strangely lacking in passion.
Slavia matched the Premiership side for effort and endeavour in all departments in the opening 20 minutes.
But Zokora's contribution to the midfield was the main plus point for Spurs.
Slavia then enjoyed their best spell of the game and almost got back on level terms.
But Spurs had done enough to take a crucial away goal lead back to