Martin Jol bid farewell to Tottenham in disappointing style as his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Getafe.
Tottenham lose 2-1 as Jol bids farewell
Martin Jol bid farewell to Tottenham in disappointing style as his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat to Getafe in their Uefa Cup Group G opener at White Hart Lane.
With reports circling during the game that Jol's reign had come to an end, the home fans were in full voice as they showed their appreciation for the Dutchman.
The players could not give him the perfect send-off, however, despite a committed performance, as Getafe hit back following Jermain Defoe's early opener for Spurs.
Ruben de la Red grabbed the equaliser and Braulio struck what proved to be the winner 20 minutes from time, although Spurs rallied bravely in the closing stages.
Dimitar Berbatov was included in the starting line-up after a week of speculation about his relationship with Jol, and the Bulgarian featured in a pre-kick-off huddle designed as a show of unity.
Tottenham's team spirit could not disguise their defensive frailties however, and with Ledley King still missing they once again looked vulnerable every time Getafe ventured forward.
Younes Kaboul was caught napping by Nacho inside his own area but Esteban Granero fired wide, while Braulio tested Radek Cerny with a volley from distance after Didier Zokora had been slow to close him down.
Getafe, though, are enduring a difficult season as well and Spurs' attack-minded players sensed the opportunity was there to return to wining ways.
Defoe strikes
Defoe, preferred up front to Robbie Keane and Darren Bent, latched onto a clever pass from Tom Huddlestone and attempted to skip round Oscar Ustari, but the goalkeeper did well to parry the ball to safety.
Defoe was not to be denied for long and headed Spurs into the lead on 19 minutes after Pascal Chimbonda's deep cross had been nodded back into the centre by Berbatov.
The Spurs fans were silenced just two minutes later when De la Red wheeled away in celebration after getting the slightest of touches to Granero's free-kick to bring Getafe level.
Berbatov briefly thought he had restored Spurs' advantage minutes later, but his goal was disallowed because Defoe was in an offside position.
Tottenham carved out the better opportunities for the rest of the first half, with Aaron Lennon rediscovering his spark and tormenting Franck Signorino down the right.
Anthony Gardner had to be replaced by Michael Dawson after being stretchered off with a nasty-looking ankle injury, but Spurs continued to pour forward and Defoe blazed over on the stroke of half-time.
Getafe coach Michael Laudrup had to replace Ustari with Roberto Abbondanzieri for the start of the second half and the Argentine goalkeeper was quickly into the action as he saved a powerful drive from Steed Malbranque.
Berbatov was presented with a glorious chance as the ball was crossed back in, but he headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Spurs stepped up the tempo and penned Getafe back into their own half during a sustained period of pressure, but they were restricted to hopeful crosses and shots from outside the area as the Spanish team defended resolutely.
Decisive moment
Getafe were more successful when they had a good spell of their own, with Braulio coolly flicking Granero's low cross past Cerny to make the score 2-1 after 70 minutes.
Signorino also came close as he drilled an effort inches past the woodwork, before Jol introduced Teemu Tainio and Robbie Keane for Zokora and Malbranque for one last push.
In a frantic finale, Daniel Diaz produced a superb tackle to deny Defoe, while Chimbonda had a penalty appeal waved away.
Dawson also crashed a header against the crossbar and Abbondanzieri had to scramble the ball away from Defoe, as Getafe clung on to clinch all three points.
