Darren Bent rose powerfully to provide Spurs with a first win of the season after a 2-1 success over Wisla Krakow.
Striker to rescue after defensive frailties almost cost hosts
Darren Bent rose powerfully to provide Tottenham Hotspur with a first win of the season after a 2-1 success over Wisla Krakow at White Hart Lane.
Spurs boss Juande Ramos, no stranger to Uefa Cup glory during his time at Sevilla, has endured a disappointing start to the Premier League season.
However, Bent's 73rd minute header from debutant Fraizer Campbell's cross could inject the impetus Ramos' side has been lacking so far this term.
After a sprightly opening, Spurs made the breakthrough on 33 minutes when David Bentley curled home a crisp shot from Aaron Lennon's pass.
The lead barely lasted a minute, though, as sloppy defending from Spurs allowed Tomas Jirsak to equalise for Wisla.
Bent had a goal disallowed after Jermaine Jenas was harshly ruled offside before Campbell's introduction sparked a late surge, culminating in a potentially crucial winner ahead of the return in Poland in two weeks' time.
Bentley, who was dropped to the bench for Monday's defeat by Aston Villa, was in the action with less than a minute gone, with Jenas hustling Junior Diaz off the ball and sending his team-mate down the right - but goalkeeper Mariusz Pawelek bravely blocked as Bent closed in.
Radoslaw Sobolewski had the first effort for Wisla, curling a long-range effort the wrong side of the post after dummying past Lennon.
Aerial threat
Bentley provided the corner for Pawelek's first save of the match, after 24 minutes, when Jonathan Woodgate's header was claimed at the second attempt.
Wisla provided their own threat with aerial balls forward and it took Ledley King to block a shot from Rafal Boguski after the striker latched into a cushioned header.
Pawelek required treatment after throwing himself at Bent again, with Bentley again providing the service. Wisla's goalkeeper was able to continue despite a lump on his head, but he was picking the ball out of his net after Spurs' next move, in the 33rd minute.
Giovani dos Santos sent Lennon away down the left and his cross found its way to the back post, with Bentley sending the ball in the direction it came, around Sobolewski and into Pawelek's far post.
But the lead only lasted a minute, with Boguski nutmegging Gareth Bale before centring, with Jirsak lashing into the net after a lay-off from Pawel Brozek.
Boguski could have given them the lead but Heurelho Gomes produced a stunning save before the interval, turning the ball around the post to deny the striker.
Flowing move
Bentley had dipped a free-kick over the crossbar and also forced a save from Pawelek with a volley across the face of the goal, then the Wisla keeper had to tip over just after the break from Spurs' winger.
Bent had a strike chalked off when he tapped in after a flowing move down the left resulting in Jenas crossing to the far post - replays suggested it was a harsh decision to call it offside.
Ramos' response was to bring on Campbell for his debut to replace Lennon, while Chris Gunter was replaced by Jamie O'Hara.
It was Wisla who threatened a second when Mauro Cantoro volleyed over the bar from a promising position but Bent grabbed his goal as the visitors threatened an upset.
Campbell held the ball up on the right and floated in a cross, with Bent climbing over Cleber to send the ball past Pawelek.
| Tottenham Hotspur |
Team Statistics |
Wisla Krakow |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
1 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 3 |
Shots off Target |
8 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 6 |
Corners |
1 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
4 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 74.2 |
Passing Success |
74.9 |
| 17 |
Tackles |
19 |
| 64.7 |
Tackles Success |
78.9 |
| 51.7 |
Possession |
48.3 |
| 52.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.4 |
|
