Spurs win eases pressure on Jol
Jol's side were worthy winners against Middlesbrough
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Wednesday, 26, Sep 2007 10:16
Tottenham Hotspur claimed a deserved 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the third round of the Carling Cup but had to wait until the second half to make their dominance pay.
Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone were on the scoresheet to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Martin Jol.
Fabio Rochemback had the first chance of the game but Paul Robinson parried his fierce drive wide of the goal.
Spurs then took control of the game. Jermaine Jenas came close when Jermain Defoe played him through one-on-one with Brad Jones, however the Boro goalkeeper was able to smother his effort.
Defoe then had a series of chances but failed to find the target from 20 yards out as well as close range.
Jones had to be alert to make a strong save from Defoe just before the break as the England striker continued to probe for an opening goal.
Boro had chances either side of half time to take the lead but failed to take their opportunities.
Chris Riggott and Tom Craddock both had space inside the Spurs box as they lost their markers from set-pieces but could not find the necessary finish.
Defoe was taken off with 20 minutes remaining, replaced by Robbie Keane, much to the disgust of the Spurs crowd.
However, soon after the substitution Tottenham took the lead through full-back Bale.
Keane placed a pass between the Boro defence in the direction of Aaron Lennon, who looked to be in an offside position. But he left it for Bale, who was onside, and he applied the finish from an acute angle.
Huddlestone doubled the home side's lead two minutes later. Lennon turned Rochemback with an excellent piece of skill before centring an accurate cross which found Huddlestone 12 yards out who headed past Jones.