Redknapp's Spurs break league duck

Tottenham are out of the relegation zone thanks to Darren Bent's fifth goal of the season
Tottenham are out of the relegation zone thanks to Darren Bent's fifth goal of the season

Reddit

Stumble

 

Also In The News

McCarthy rescues point for Blackburn

South African striker Benni McCarthy scored an injury-time equaliser to grab a crucial point for Blackburn against Middlesbrough this evening.

Matt Derbyshire and David Wheater in action in 1-1 draw
 

Sunday, 26, Oct 2008 09:11

Harry Redknapp inspired Tottenham to their first league win of the season after beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

A header from Roman Pavlyuchenko and a Darren Bent penalty give Redknapp victory on his first day in charge after his shock exit as Portsmouth manager last night.

The presence of Redknapp appeared to fire up the home side who made a frenetic start. Jamie O'Hara's shot deflected behind for a corner while David Bentley fired over from long-range.

And it was winger Bentley who set-up Spurs' opener when his pinpoint cross from the right was headed in by Pavlyuchenko for his first league goal in English football.

But the north London club's defensive frailties were nearly exposed when Kevin Davies shot wide after Benoit Assou-Ekotto's poor back-pass while keeper Heurelho Gomes flapped at a free-kick minutes later which led to Davies hitting the post.

Redknapp's men nearly benefited from a goalkeeping blunder by Bolton when Jussi Jaaskelainen spilled a cross but Tom Huddlestone could only blaze his shot over.

Bolton's chances of salvaging something were destroyed on 55 minutes when McCann was given a second booking for a horror challenge on Huddlestone.

But they came agonisingly close to an equaliser when another feeble punch from Gomes fell to Fabrice Muamba, whose volley landed on the roof of the net.

At the other end, Jaaskelainen kept the Trotters in the game with stunning saves to deny Huddlestone and substitute Bent while Aaron Lennon fired over from close range.

Spurs sealed victory with a controversial penalty when Bent went over after colliding with the keeper, and the striker picked himself up score the spot-kick for his fifth goal of the season.

Bolton were unable to grab a consolation in the dying stages as Tottenham kick start their season ahead of the north London derby against Arsenal on Wednesday.

What do you think?

Name 

Location 

Email 

Comment 

Enter the text shown to the right

We're mobile!

Get news, sport and entertainment on your mobile. Text inthenews to 84010 or go to http://m.inthenews.co.uk. There is no charge for this service but the SMS will be charged at your standard operator rate.

Competitions

Win Wiis, Blu-ray players and LCD TVs with Chargy Bargy

Click here to play online rugby game Chargy Bargy and land the chance to win a Nintendo Wii, Blu-ray player or LCD TV, courtesy of O2.

Win Wiis, Blu-ray players and LCD TVs with Chargy Bargy

Win Shutter Island novels and posters!

To celebrate the release of Shutter Island we have teamed up with Paramount Pictures UK to give three winners a copy of original Dennis Lehane novel and a copy of the poster - click here for your chance to win.

Win Shutter Island novels and posters!