Carling Cup 3rd Rd - Tottenham 2 Middlesbrough 0

Late goals from Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone earned Tottenham a 2-0 win in their clash against Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.

Spurs played 21 cup games last season and, with boss Martin Jol under intense pressure following a dismal start to the season, the hunt for silverware is at least giving his side the chance to build momentum.

Two of their three victories this season have come in cup competitions - but getting out of the bottom three of the Premier League is the immediate priority.

The win was still welcomed by Jol. Bale rounded goalkeeper Brad Jones for the opener with 18 minutes remaining and Huddlestone headed in the second three minutes later.

Jones had frustrated Spurs with a polished performance, while Boro threatened from set-pieces, and in the end it was the substitution of Robbie Keane coming on for Jermain Defoe that proved the decisive moment.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate had a host of first-team players out injured, notably Jonathan Woodgate with a groin problem and former Spurs striker Mido with a hamstring injury.

It meant the visitors were on the back foot for long periods, looking to break when possible and look for lone-striker Lee Dong-Gook.

Spurs skipper Paul Robinson was tested early on by Fabio Rochemback's long-range drive and Chris Riggott wasted a glorious chance at the end of the first half when he volleyed over, but the rest of the opening period saw the hosts push forward and apply pressure.

Defoe had been left out of the squad altogether for the Bolton clash in the Premier League at the weekend, but he made a lively comeback to the starting XI and led the attack.

The England striker earned a free-kick which Bale had deflected just wide after his initial effort cannoned off the defensive wall.

He was in the action again, in the ninth minute, lofting the ball through but Jermaine Jenas sliced his shot as he raced through on goal.

Defoe came close himself when Teemu Tainio slipped him through but Jones rushed out and blocked bravely with his face.

Tainio was found in an even better position when Defoe raced down the right flank and stood the ball up, but Jones did not have to move when the header came in.

Boro keeper Jones, in the side instead of Mark Schwarzer, kept the scores level when Younes Kaboul flicked on Bale's free-kick, and he also tipped a Defoe header onto the bar before the break after Tainio's effort deflected into the striker's path.

Last season's league clash at White Hart Lane ended in a mass brawl, and there was an element of needle towards the end of the first half.

Rochemback was fortunate to escape with just a yellow card when he kicked out at Huddlestone after getting fouled, while Michael Dawson got a card for tripping Stewart Downing. Riggott's chance came from the resulting free-kick, with the defender volleying over after Spurs failed to clear the set-piece.

Spurs have looked suspect from dead-ball situations all season and they were shaky again after the break when Tom Craddock, a half-time substitute, was found unmarked from a corner but could not direct an effort on goal.

At the other end, Jones saved from a Bale free-kick after Jenas was fouled by Andrew Taylor 25 yards out, then David Wheater had to time a challenge on Aaron Lennon to perfection when the winger took the ball into the penalty area.

Defoe tested Jones again, with a diving header from Pascal Chimbonda's cross, before being withdrawn with jeers ringing around White Hart Lane.

Defoe looked angry at being taken off but the substitution was the catalyst for Spurs' late goals.

Keane, brought on for Defoe, sent Bale through and the left-back rounded Jones and squeezed home his finish from a tight angle.

Southgate was furious as Lennon appeared to be in an offside position when Bale was sent through, and the protests led to one of Boro's backroom staff being sent to the dressing room.

The second goal came when Lennon cut inside Rochemback and found found Huddlestone, who tucked away his header.

Jeers turn to cheers for Jol

Tottenham boss Martin Jol saw jeers turn to cheers with his substitution of Jermain Defoe in the Carling Cup victory over Middlesbrough at White Hart Lane.

Crowd favourite Defoe had hit the bar and been frustrated by Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones, and replacing him with Robbie Keane in the 69th minute prompted booing from home fans.

However, Keane had a hand in Spurs' opener three minutes later, with Tom Huddlestone sealing a 2-0 win and a place in the fourth round.

'I don't think it's about booing me because a minute later they are singing my name,' said Jol. 'I am in a very good position here and that is what I deserve, I gave them a bit of success over the last couple of years - no-one could have done better.

'I'm not someone to fear things. They say in Holland 'have no fear Jolly is here'.'

While this substitution had an immediate impact, Jol's decision to bring Defoe on for Keane in a Premier League match earlier in the season against Fulham led to Spurs letting a 3-1 advantage slip.

'You can leave it and wait or make a decision,' Jol added. 'I've had around 150 games, maybe 170, and they normally come off, maybe a couple of them didn't.

'I make brave decisions all the time because I want to win.

'Everyone will be involved, that's what I tell them. Darren Bent was on the bench.'

Defoe reacted angrily to being taken off against Boro, with Jol adding: 'He's a human being.

'Even with children, if they have a lot of support they feel confident. I always say if you come off you have to show respect for your team-mates.'

For the opener, Keane slipped Gareth Bale through to round Jones and finish from a tight angle, his third goal in as many starts. Boro's bench felt Aaron Lennon was offside in the build-up to the 72nd-minute striker and goalkeeper coach Paul Barron was sent to the stands for leaving the technical area.

'We are well aware that Bale was onside but we do feel Lennon was interfering, he was standing five yards from Bale and let the ball run,' said Boro boss Gareth Southgate. 'Our covering defender has to go around Lennon.

'Maybe I have to go on another course! It's difficult for the linesman but the flag should have gone up.'

Huddlestone doubled the lead with 15 minutes remaining, meeting Lennon's header after the England winger skipped inside Fabio Rochemback.

Boro were left to rue Chris Riggott's opportunity just before the break when Spurs failed to clear a free-kick and the defender volleyed over.

'It's important to take those chances but we didn't,' Southgate added. As they have been all season, Spurs were suspect from set-pieces, and substitute Tom Craddock could not direct his effort on goal when he was found from a corner early in the second half.

Having the likes of Mido, Jonathan Woodgate and Julio Arca out injured and staying level with Spurs for 72 minutes came as no consolation to Southgate.

He added: 'We came and played in a style we were forced to. We kept it tight in the first half and put a striker on after the break and it could have been a night we could have grabbed a 1-0.

'We don't have to bleat on about who we don't have here, Tottenham were the better side and good luck to them.'

Bolton 1 Tottenham 1

Bolton manager Sammy Lee saw his side move off the foot of the table on goal difference by securing a 1-1 draw against Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium.

But despite moving ahead of fellow strugglers Derby, Lee will know they are not out of the woods yet with victories still hard to come by.

It is a similar story for Tottenham boss Martin Jol, although expectations are much higher at White Hart Lane.

Wanderers boss Lee brought back Ivan Campo for his first appearance of the season and it proved to be a shrewd move.

The Spaniard not only grabbed the equaliser but also helped galvanise a struggling side.

He was given a rousing reception by the supporters, who cheered his name from all corners of the ground.

Campo soon got into his stride and delivered a marvellous angled ball to Kevin Davies in the fifth minute.

The Bolton striker squared it into the area only for Michael Dawson to make a hurried clearance.

Tottenham nearly took the lead, however, in the 26th minute when Robbie Keane picked out Dimitar Berbatov at the back post.

He rattled in a shot from an acute angle which goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to parry.

Tottenham took the lead in the 33rd minute through Keane's first league goal of the season.

It was poor defending by Bolton after Jaaskelainen got a hand to Jermaine Jenas' close-range effort.

The ball broke to Campo but he only succeeded in setting up Keane, who took advantage from close range.

Campo made amends five minutes later by grabbing the equaliser with a thumping header into the corner following a free-kick from El-Hadji Diouf.

Joey O'Brien, however, almost handed Tottenham the lead on the stroke of half-time when he sent Teemu Tainio's cross narrowly past his own post.

Bolton's struggles in the early part of the season were reflected in the attendance with a crowd of only 20,308 present.

Tainio then came close to restoring Tottenham's lead with a rasping 20-yard drive.

However Jaaskelainen was equal to it and turned the midfielder's effort around the post.

Bolton won a free-kick in the 58th minute when Dawson barged into Davies. However Anelka sent his effort straight into Robinson's arms.

Tottenham looked dangerous on the break and Malbranque narrowly cleared the bar three minutes later after a weak punch by Jaaskelainen.

However there was a moment of danger for the visitors in the 63rd minute when Davies flicked on a throw in from Campo but Anelka just failed to get a vital touch.

Bolton were working tirelessly to get only their second win of the season and that must have pleased Lee.

Davies again got clear of his marker in the 70th minute when Campo floated in a free-kick but his header failed to test Robinson.

Tottenham boss Jol decided to switch things around and brought on Darren Bent and Aaron Lennon in the space of six minutes for Berbatov and Tainio.

Keane came close to restoring their lead in the 86th minute but Jaaskelainen made a marvellous block.

Jaaskelainen then had a heated disagreement in stoppage time with Abdoulaye Meite as Tottenham pushed forward.

Fingers were pointed and words exchanged but Bolton secured a point and their display was a marked improvement on the one against Rabotnicki Kometal in the UEFA Cup on Thursday when they salvaged a draw after a poor performance.

UEFA CUP: Tottenham 6 Anorthosis Famagusta 1

Jermain Defoe gave Martin Jol a glimpse of what he has been missing by coming on and scoring twice as Tottenham ran riot to beat Anorthosis Famagusta 6-1 and get back to winning ways.

Defoe has not started a game during Spurs' dismal start to the season and was not even on the bench against Arsenal last Saturday, but he scored with virtually his first touch in the first leg of the UEFA Cup first-round clash.

His impish chip came after Spurs had put themselves within sight of the group stages, with three goals just before the break adding to Younes Kaboul's opener.

The Cypriots were woeful but pulled a goal back, but Defoe scored the sixth in stoppage-time with a curling effort into the top corner.

Dutchman Jol wants the win to spark a run of results to turn Spurs' season as it did a year ago when they defeated Slavia Prague.

Jol impressed with Defoe's 'eagerness'

Spurs went on a two-month unbeaten run after reaching the group stages in their last European campaign, and their sluggish start to the season has been repeated this term.

After going unbeaten at home in the UEFA Cup last season, Cypriot minnows Famagusta were not tipped to cause an upset in London, even if coach Temuri Ketsbaia had pedigree against Spurs.

The Georgian scored against Spurs in 1999 and also featured in a 6-1 thrashing in the same year, but the odds were stacked against him getting a result on his return to England.

Jol had insisted he would not be underestimating Ketsbaia's side, who were unbeaten this season going into the clash and had won the Cypriot cup in their last campaign.

Famagusta were assembled for a fraction of the fee Spurs paid Charlton for Darren Bent, with the striker brought back into the starting XI and Dimitar Berbatov on the bench.

Elsewhere, Jol made sweeping to the side defeated by rivals Arsenal at the weekend, with Aaron Lennon and Benoit Assou-Ekotto back after knee problems and Paul Robinson given a rest.

Arsenal have since swept aside a Sevilla side coached by Juande Ramos, the man Spurs officials met last month when Jol's position was under intense scrutiny.

If Spurs officials are to look at replacements during the next international break, Jol at least has got the club back to winning ways.

Kaboul set them on their way in the fifth minute. Tom Huddlestone swung a corner in and the French centre-back ran across the Famagusta defence and glanced his header inside the unmanned far post.

Spurs always threatened a second - Bent had a decent penalty shout and Robbie Keane forced a save - and the wheels fell off for the Cypriots after the hosts doubled the lead. Michael Dawson grabbed the second when he stabbed home from close range after Pascal Chimbonda headed down Keane's corner. It sparked ugly exchanges between the sets of supporters, with missiles thrown by the visitors.

But the focus was back on the pitch two minutes later when Keane received Ekotto's pass from the left, turned and finished neatly.

Bent added a fourth in the 43rd minute when Lambros Lambrou's clearance went past his own goalkeeper, giving the Spurs striker an open goal.

The Cypriots were struggling to get a shot on goal let alone find the target, but Costas Loumpoutis was upset with the accuracy of a ballboy when a throw hit him in the midriff.

Jol brought on Defoe in the 63rd minute and the striker received a standing ovation. There was an even bigger cheer when he grabbed his goal two minutes later with his first touches.

The out-of-favour striker steadied himself on the edge of the area and delicately chipped into the top corner.

Anton Zlogar pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining when Spurs failed to clear a cross and he poked into the bottom corner.

Defoe added his second at the end of the game when he cut in and curled into the top corner from 25 yards, leaving the goalkeeper motionless.

Jol impressed with Defoe's 'eagerness'

Tottenham boss Martin Jol could not guarantee Jermain Defoe a starting place for the weekend despite the striker coming on and scoring twice against Anorthosis Famagusta.

Spurs were in control against the Cypriots in the first leg of the UEFA Cup first-round clash at White Hart Lane when Defoe came off the bench and made an instant impact.

The 24-year-old, who was not in the matchday squad at the weekend against Arsenal, chipped home the first and curled into the top corner in stoppage time for the second.

However, Jol would not guarantee him a place in the starting XI against Bolton on Sunday.

'Robbie Keane could have scored three, Darren Bent took his goal and Dimitar Berbatov was our top scorer in Europe last season,' Jol said after the 6-1 win. 'If they push me all the time it makes it difficult me.

'Jermain is the best finisher in the league around the box but Robbie is our top scorer in the league.'

Jol brought on Defoe against Fulham earlier in the season and Spurs slipped to a 3-3 draw, but Famagusta had no answer to the England striker.

'Against Famagusta it's probably easier than Fulham but that was what I had in mind against Fulham,' Jol added.

'In hindsight that was a bad substitution - this was a good one.'

The Dutchman added: 'I told the players after the draw was made that we were happy but you never know - you still have to do it.

'We conceded one but there were only positives. Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Aaron Lennon played after injuries, all my strikers scored and I had another on the bench - that is the eagerness you need in the locker.'

Younes Kaboul opened the scoring for Spurs with an early glancing header before a glut of goals put the hosts within sight of the group stages.

Michael Dawson, Robbie Keane and Darren Bent were all on the scoresheet as Spurs got back to winning ways after their dismal start to the season.

Anton Zlogar pulled a goal back but Spurs were always in control as they recorded their second win of the season.

Famagusta coach Temuri Ketsbaia, the former Newcastle favourite, is now concentrating on domestic matters.

'I believe we were playing one of the best teams in the competition,' he said.

'They were better than us from the beginning to the final whistle. 'It was a great effort from us but it means Europe is over for us but we have to concentrate on the league in Cyprus and eventually closing the gap between us and teams like Tottenham.'

Tottenham 1 Arsenal 3

Stunning goals from Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor earned Arsenal a 3-1 victory at White Hart Lane and piled on the misery for Tottenham manager Martin Jol.

Spurs had been ahead in the 15th minute through Gareth Bale's free-kick and had chances to add to their lead before Adebayor levelled.

Fabregas' strike came with 10 minutes remaining, and Adebayor also found the top corner in stoppage time, leaving Spurs with still one Premier League victory this season.

It was a cruel blow for Jol, who has appeared undermined by his board this season after their infamous meeting with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.

Spurs had not beaten Arsenal since 1999, during George Graham's reign, and there is a perception Jol struggles against the ``big four''.

It looked like business as usual when Paul Robinson was required to tip over Adebayor's volley from 25 yards in the early stages.

But Dimitar Berbatov was offering a threat for the hosts and he looped a header over the crossbar before getting fouled in the lead up to Bale's opener.

Bale's free-kicks at the start of last season helped him establish himself as one of the brightest talents around and his set-piece in the 15th minute was an example of his accuracy.

He curled the effort behind Arsenal's wall and inside Manuel Almunia's near post, leaving the peroxide Spaniard fuming with himself.

The 18-year-old, with two goals in his first three Spurs matches, was playing on the left of midfield to give Jol's side balance - but he was also needed to defend as Arsenal attempted to drag themselves level.

Adebayor immediately threatened at the other end after the opener, with Robinson required to turn his volley around the post.

The England goalkeeper was needed again in the 25th minute when Fabregas broke from the centre of midfield, with Alexander Hleb eventually having the shot and Robin van Persie firing the rebound across the face of goal.

Abou Diaby then had an effort from long distance on the half-hour mark and got even closer two minutes later when Hleb found him free overlapping. Diaby beat Robinson with his powerful effort, but it smacked off the crossbar to safety.

With both sides attacking, possession switched frequently and tackles flew in, Jermaine Jenas picking up a yellow card for one of them on Van Persie.

Pascal Chimbonda was fouled in stoppage time but was booked himself for urging referee Mark Clattenburg to show his opponent a yellow card.

As expected, Spurs were forced to defend early in the second half, although Berbatov should have added a second goal in the 51st minute.

Steed Malbranque slipped the Bulgaria striker through and he rounded Almunia but could not do the same to Kolo Toure, who was the last defender.

Adebayor fired over the crossbar in Arsenal's next move after Bacary Sagna raced down the right and cut the ball back. The Togo striker then tried to take it around Robinson, but the goalkeeper timed his dive to perfection.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger brought Tomas Rosicky on for Diaby to give his side another attacking dimension.

Yet Spurs were still threatening a second goal, with Younes Kaboul heading over and Tom Huddlestone cracking a trademark volley wide from Chimbonda's cross.

The England Under-21 midfielder had angered Sagna in that move and the Arsenal defender tripped him after 62 minutes to earn a booking.

Jol has been frustrated with Spurs' defending from set-pieces this season and a free-kick was their undoing again, with Arsenal levelling in the 65th minute.

Adebayor nipped ahead of Robinson to meet Fabregas' free-kick after Malbranque had fouled Mathieu Flamini.

Spurs' response was to bring on Aaron Lennon for his first appearance since knee surgery in the summer.

Robbie Keane raced through and had an effort saved by Almunia, although the linesman had initially flagged before play was allowed to continue.

Berbatov had two bites at Jenas' corner, but Gael Clichy cleared off the line.

Fabregas then got his stunning goal, receiving the pass from Rosicky before taking aim from 30 yards and bending into the top corner with the outside of his boot.

Darren Bent came on and was sent through, but the striker missed his kick.

Adebayor made him pay with a volleyed goal in stoppage time to add to Spurs' misery.

Fulham 3 Spurs 3 - Kamara snatches late draw

Diomansy Kamara scored a spectacular equaliser a minute from full-time as Fulham grabbed a 3-3 home draw against Tottenham.

Spurs had been ahead since the 11th minute through Younes Kaboul, with Dimitar Berbatov adding a second.

Clint Dempsey pulled one back, but Spurs looked set to take the points when Gareth Bale put them ahead again, only for Kamara to strike when it looked like time had run out.

It meant there was no repeat of Tottenham's efforts last season when they won at Craven Cottage to ease the pressure on boss Martin Jol.

• Jol slams 'awful' Spurs defending

There were concerns over the Dutchman's future at White Hart Lane before the FA Cup win in February, but their victory sparked an encouraging finale to the season.

With Jol's future remaining the hot topic following the infamous meeting between Spurs officials and Juande Ramos two weeks ago, failure to win adds to the concerns.

Victory appeared well within their grasp, particularly as Lawrie Sanchez's men struggled to impose themselves for most of the game.

Sanchez was one of the busier managers on transfer-deadline day. Only Dejan Stefanovic was cleared to play, but the hosts still started like a team who barely knew each other.

Spurs were into their stride and ahead after 11 minutes, exposing Antti Niemi's lack of match-sharpness in the goalkeeper's first appearance of the season.

Robbie Keane's corner from the left had the Finland stopper flapping, leading to another set-piece from the opposite flank.

Niemi made a mess of Bale's inswinger, his attempted clearance falling to Kaboul, who tapped in from a yard out for his first Spurs goal.

There were jitters at the other end too, with Paul Robinson almost gifting Fulham an immediate equaliser.

Robinson, whose position as England's first-choice has been questioned following his blunder against Germany, fumbled a straightforward cross from Hameur Bouazza. Kaboul's clearance hit Steven Davis and went over the bar, saving Robinson from further embarrassment.

Spurs took advantage of their reprieve, with Berbatov adding their second in the 28th minute.

Pascal Chimbonda's throw failed to find a Spurs team-mate, but Davis' header went straight to Keane. The Spurs skipper unlocked the Fulham defence with a first-time volley and Berbatov took one touch with his head and lashed through Niemi.

Jermaine Jenas should have extended the lead but took a touch too many and allowed Carlos Bocanegra to get a challenge in when the midfielder was bearing down on goal.

The uncertainty in the Fulham defence was illustrated by Stefanovic and Chris Baird crashing into each other as they tried to clear a corner, with Spurs looking to add to their tally before the interval.

However, Dempsey gave Fulham a glimmer of hope three minutes before the break when he thundered a header in from Simon Davies' corner.

After the interval Berbatov fired a powerful volley from long distance straight at Niemi, but the goalkeeper parried the ball over his bar.

His save from Jenas in the 54th minute was more impressive after the midfielder curled towards the top corner.

Steed Malbranque then rattled the frame a minute later when Keane's mis-hit fell to him inside the penalty area.

But Spurs' third goal came just after the hour mark. Tom Huddlestone fed Keane on the halfway line and his pass sent Bale racing through to send Niemi the wrong way with his finish.

Spurs thought they should have had a penalty shortly after when Dempsey blocked with his arms.

Berbatov almost took advantage of more confusion when Niemi came rushing out, but Baird made an acrobatic clearance on the line.

Keane appeared disappointed when he was taken off in the 68th minute, with Jermain Defoe coming on.

Smertin's long-range effort with 13 minutes remaining took a wicked deflection off Ricardo Rocha and flew over Robinson and in, offering more hope for Fulham.

Kamara levelled matters with a minute remaining with an overhead kick that dipped over Robinson.

• Jol slams 'awful' Spurs defending

Tottenham boss Martin Jol was furious with his defenders for failing to hold onto a 3-1 lead that would have given them a morale-boosting victory over Fulham going into the international break.

Spurs failed to clear Chris Baird's throw in the final minute at Craven Cottage and Diomansy Kamara's scissor-kick dipped over Paul Robinson to earn Fulham a point.

Jol told his players exactly what he thought of their defending after the 3-3 draw in a match where they were leading for most of the time following Younes Kaboul's opener.

Dimitar Berbatov added the second but Clint Dempsey's header from a corner kept Fulham within sight.

'At 2-0 we should have scored the third and the fourth, we didn't do that and conceded from a corner,' said Jol. 'It's awful to see that.

'You can't concede goals like the third, from a throw-in. We have to cut out these mistakes, they make it difficult to win games.

'I can't say we are unfortunate all the time but we have to defend better. If it is a wonderful attack with lots of one-twos..... but a corner-kick?'

Jol's position at Spurs has been under scrutiny since the infamous meeting between officials and Sevilla boss Juande Ramos, and a win would have eased some of the pressure.

Victory looked assured when Gareth Bale raced through to make it 3-1, although Jol then took off skipper Robbie Keane despite setting up two goals.

'Jermain Defoe was very hungry in training and I thought he could do something,' said Jol. 'Robbie didn't have the best of games despite making two goals. Most of the times if comes off but this time it didn't.

'You could see he was unhappy but he better be (happy) because he's my skipper. He knows Defoe is an important part of the squad, and so is Darren Bent.'

Jol also brought on Michael Dawson, just back from an ankle injury, as an extra centre-back.

Fulham chased the game with four forwards and Alexey Smertin's deflected strike got them back in the contest, with Kamara's acrobatics saving a point.

'Fulham fans don't expect to beat big teams like Arsenal, but they expect the side to give everything they have got,' said boss Lawrie Sanchez.

'The Berbatovs and Keanes of this world are at the top of their game and there will be times when you are out of it. But it showed that hard graft can get you some reward.'

Sanchez was one of the busier managers on transfer-deadline day but only Dejan Stefanovic was cleared to play.

'There has been a lot of changes in the summer,' Sanchez said. 'I felt it was necessary and I said to the board that we needed to rebuild.

'It had gone a bit stale and I needed to change that. The board have backed that. We spent money, recouped some and we'll spend more after Christmas.'

He added: 'It's a new era. It's little steps at a time like this.'

And after their three defeats this season came from late goals, Sanchez added: 'If I was a Fulham fan I wouldn't be leaving the games early. We rode our luck but credit to the players.'