Spurs look certain to make the UEFA Cup group stage, as they take a five goal lead in to the away leg in Cyprus. Manager Martin Jol will want this victory I the first European fixture will help to kick start this season in the same manner as it did last year.

Kaboul Opens Spurs European Account

The home side opened their European account after just five minutes a well worked set piece. Tom Huddlestone’s corner kick and Pascal Chimbonda’s dummy run allowed Kaboul to score with his head from six yards.

Three Goals In As Many Minutes

The Cypriots fought hard through the first half and kept Spurs at bay, it seemed that if they got a lucky break they could continue Spurs frustrating start to the season, the referee denying Darren Bent a stonewall penalty. However the worry was dispelled when Spurs took advantage of another set play, this time it was Keane who put the corner in the box Chimbonda knocked the ball down for Dawson to stab the ball in to the back of the net.

Two minutes later it was the turn of the strikers to get on the score sheet, Assou-Ekotto squared the ball to Keane who flicked the ball into the air with his right foot and volleyed home with his left; the shot was scuffed but it rolled past the Famagusta keeper.

A minute later Darren Bent scored his first UEFA Cup goal for six years, when he scored for Ipswich as a 17 year-old. The £16m striker proved his worth by being quick enough to take advantage of a defensive error. He latched on to a misguided back pass, holding off a defenders challenge long enough to steer the ball into the empty goal from the tightest of angles.

Defoe Demonstrates His Worth To Tottenham

Jermaine Defoe replaced Robbie Keane just after the hour mark, with his first touch of the game he played a delightful chip from twenty five yards over the goalie in to the waiting goal. He scored a second and Spurs sixth on the night when he created a little space and drove the ball into the top right hand corner of the goal from the edge of the box.

Defensive Confusion Costs Spurs A Clean Sheet

The visitors did manage to get a valuable away goal, although it was scant consolation. Tottenham introduced Welsh defender Gareth Bale for his first European appearance when the visitors were waiting to take a throw in. The speed of their play caught the Tottenham defence off guard. In the ensuing mix up Zlogar managed to toe-poke the ball through a gap in the defence. Radek Cerny who had little to do while deputizing for Paul Robinson, managed to get a hand to the shot but failed to stop it crossing the line.