Inter Milan survived a late surge from ten-man Tottenham Hotspur to win 4-3 at home on Wednesday.

With the win, Inter took control of Champions League Group A with seven points, followed by Spurs in four, while FC Twente and Werder Bremen have two apiece.

Hotspur trailed 4-0 before the break, and Gareth Bale scored a hat-trick in the second half in a futile attempt to salvage the English Premiership side.

Rafa Benitez hoped that this match would teach his players a lesson.

"Naturally I am satisfied that we won, but the negative aspect is that after an excellent first half we lacked intensity in the second," he said.

"We have got to learn how to control the game better, as we simply cannot finish like this.

"With 11 men against 10 the tactics weren't important, as it was all about the mentality. I hope this lapse in concentration can teach Inter a lesson," he said.

Inter had their job almost done early on when captain Javier Zanetti scored in the second minute.

Spurs' goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was sent off in the eighth after pulling down Jonathan Biabiany and Samuel Eto'o scored his first of the night with the penalty.

Dejan Stankovic grabbed Inter's third and Eto'o added a second to give the holders a 4-0 lead at the half.

After the break Gareth Bale pulled one back for Spurs and added two late on, but they could not find the equalizer as time ran out.