Carling Cup QF - Tottenham 2 Blackpool 0

Tottenham started the Juande Ramos era by reaching the at the expense of Blackpool - but the new boss was shown how tough his new job will be despite the 2-0 win.

On the face of it they are two matches from Wembley, although their opponents from the Championship caused trouble for Spurs' defence at times, setting off the panic that has undermined their season.

It took Robbie Keane's opener in the 18th minute to settle the nerves of the home fans - Ramos maintained his `granite mask' and merely pointed to Paul Robinson who had helped create the goal.

The Spaniard punched the air when Pascal Chimbonda added a second in the second half after Blackpool had hit the bar, and they would have been level but for Robinson's agility in goal for Spurs.

The rest of the time Ramos gestured as his side lost the ball cheaply and struggled to play their way out of trouble against a side that was playing in League One last season.

Tougher times await for Ramos, starting with the trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday when Spurs look to climb out of the bottom three of the Premier League. Their aim, of course, is to reach the Champions League, not to set up a rematch with the Seasiders next season.

Ramos picked a full-strength team to have a proper look at what he has on his hands, and it took less than a minute for him to start stalking his technical area, pointing instruction to a defence that looked short on confidence.

Blackpool, 20th in their division, sensed their opportunity and started with pace, and only Younes Kaboul's block prevented Robinson being called into action after Keigan Parker was sent down the right channel.

Parker then set up a great chance after Keane lost the ball in midfield, only for David Fox to fire into the sidenetting.

Keane has been the only player full of confidence during Spurs' dismal start the season, and it was no surprise that it was the Republic of Ireland striker who opened the scoring, his 24th in his last 31 games.

For all the talk of Ramos bringing stylish football with him from Sevilla, the first goal of his time at White Hart Lane was route-one.

Keane clipped over goalkeeper Paul Rachubka from Dimitar Berbatov's flick-on. Ramos barely flinched, merely pointing at Robinson, whose long punt had set up the opener.

Keane had scored the first goal of the Martin Jol era three years ago and he did the same for Ramos, although his team-mates did not immediately capitalise on the breakthrough.

Spurs were restricted to long-range efforts before the break, then Blackpool started the second half looking to rattle the hosts.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher smacked the crossbar with a header from Parker's cross within two minutes of the restart.

Keane should have added a second when he raced through and chipped wide and he was nearly made to rue his miss as Robinson somehow flung himself to keep out Taylor-Fletcher's next effort, which was headed for the top corner.

Robinson was also guilty of a fumble and poor kicking, suggesting his jitters from earlier in the season have not entirely disappeared.

Just as the visitors were gaining momentum, Chimbonda headed in Spurs' second.

Steed Malbranque's corner found the full-back unmarked at the far post and the France international thudded home his header.

Jermain Defoe came on for Keane after the hour mark and almost scored with his first touch, only for Rachubka to tip over the crossbar.

Ramos also looked at Darren Bent off the bench as well as Teemu Tainio at right-back after taking off Kaboul, suggesting there will be changes before long.

At least Spurs have the winning feeling again after six games without victory prior to the clash.

Ramos recognises need for improvement

Juande Ramos admitted there was plenty of room for improvement throughout the squad after marking his first game in charge of Tottenham with an unconvincing Carling Cup victory over Blackpool.

'I would say the team needs to improve in all areas, in attack and defence, but this is a team of great professionals and I hope it will improve quickly,'' Ramos said.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher smacked the crossbar with a header in the second half and also forced a fine save from Paul Robinson.

Ramos still saw enough to give him encouragement ahead of the clash against Middlesbrough on Saturday when Spurs will look to climb out of the bottom three of the Premier League.

'The most important thing was the victory,'' the Spaniard added. 'The team's played well generally, they had spells of good football. We have to look forward to the next round.

'On the positive side they've shown great willingness to play and fought very hard, physically it was very hard because it was three days since the last game. The negative side was the chances Blackpool had.''

Younes Kaboul was guilty of mistakes at the back and may have been punished against tougher opposition than a side 20th in the Coca-Cola Championship.

The young French centre-back did not even acknowledge Ramos when he was taken off in the second half. Dimitar Berbatov also came off but did not give his manager a warm greeting, while Keane embraced the new man.

Ramos explained that Kaboul's substitution was a precaution.

'The change was simply because Kaboul had a yellow card - Chimbonda can play at centre-back,'' Ramos said.

Ramos' first win means he is now two ties from Wembley but admitted the need for victory forced him to pick his strongest team.

'It was very important to get the victory, to calm the team down a bit,'' he said. 'To get a result tonight was vital.''

Blackpool boss Simon Grayson was introduced to Ramos before the game as his side were staying in the same Waltham Abbey hotel.

'Full credit for him that he came to speak to me at the hotel,'' said Grayson. 'His English was fine but he didn't say he had a big fry-up or anything.''

Grayson felt his side missed their opportunities at key times of the game.

'We had opportunities to get in front or to get back in the game,'' he added. 'But we didn't take them. We gave a good account of ourselves but they took their chances.'

Juande Ramos Appointment

OPEN LETTER

An open letter to supporters from Chairman Daniel Levy.

Dear Supporter,

Today we welcome members of our new coaching team to the Lane - Juande Ramos and Marcos Alvarez and, in doing so, we bring to an end an unsettled two months for our Club.

Much has been written and speculated about the Club in the past few weeks. Quite clearly there are always two sides to every story but, in the interests of the Club, we have endured much criticism without responding or retaliating. We have instead issued statements, when appropriate, containing accurate and relevant information.

For you, the supporters, there are two particular issues on which I would now like to comment: Firstly regarding reports about Thursday evening - the first time Martin and I met to discuss his position was after the match, there were no discussions prior and there were none of the reported disagreements. We would not have, in any case, asked Martin to take charge of the match under those circumstances. Media speculation which preceded the game, inaccurately reporting Martin as having resigned, was in no way a deliberate measure by this Club, in no way served our purposes and we have resented any suggestion that this was the case. Leaks (which are wholly unacceptable) and speculation accompanied the game and it is a sad and regrettable aspect that individuals get caught in their midst.

Several events clearly did not happen as we all would have wished and I am the first to admit that things could have been handled differently and better.

Secondly, I should like to once again outline how the acquisition and disposal of players works at the club. We have a Football Management Group which meets on a regular basis – this is constituted by myself, Damien Comolli (Sporting Director), John Alexander (Club Secretary) and the Head Coach, now Juande Ramos. This group meets to discuss, identify and acquire players in targeted positions and to consider possible disposals. No player is brought into the Club or sold who is not approved by the coaching staff – it would be counter-productive to buy players that won’t be played. It is a system that Juande has worked with for years, which allows him to specify his needs and to concentrate on coaching the team whilst Damien and his scouting network seek options. This process clearly relies on accurate briefing and good decision making. It has a collective responsibility.

In conclusion, you, our supporters, should know that your Board has always had, and will always have, the long term interests of your Club as its sole focus.

In the past six years we have accommodated many changes, some of our own instigation and some that were thrust upon us by circumstance. I consider it the mark of the strength of an organisation as to how it deals with change, realigns and moves forward. We have made the changes, popular or unpopular as they may be, that we felt were necessary and right. New possibilities now face us, please lend us your support as we move forward together.

Yours,
Daniel

Tottenham 1 Blackburn 2

Juande Ramos' presence failed to have the desired impact as the new Tottenham boss watched Christopher Samba snatch an injury-time winner as Blackburn claimed a 2-1 victory.

Samba curled home a fine strike to secure Rovers' sixth straight victory and only their second triumph at White Hart Lane in a decade.

Ramos, appointed as Martin Jol's successor, will have been wondering how Spurs managed to throw it away as he looked on from the directors' box.

Initially his presence appeared to galvanise his eager to impress players, but once again the north London club were undone by poor defending.

Robbie Keane had fired them ahead with a 49th-minute penalty - his eighth goal of the season - in a fitting reward for his side's ascendancy.



• Allen unsure about Spurs future


But Benni McCarthy struck 10 minutes later to set up a tense climax that was completed when Congo defender Samba fired his remarkable late winner.

Blackburn, unchanged from the team that thumped Reading 4-2, had Brad Friedel to thank for keeping them in the match.

Friedel made a string of fine saves, including a stop of Dimitar Berbatov's goalbound header that threatened to wrestle back the victory for Spurs.

Indeed, the USA keeper had to make a timely interception as early as the opening minute as Keane was played in from midfield.

The early pressure on Rovers' goal continued with Samba blocking a shot by Berbatov and Robbie Savage doing the same when Steed Malbranque pulled the trigger.

But the visitors should have gone ahead in the 10th minute when David Bentley had the time and space to pick his spot with just Radek Cerny to beat, only to his blast his shot wide.

After Spurs' early onslaught had subsided, play became more balanced with Blackburn enjoying the odd foray into the box.

Friedel had to come to the rescue again in the 18th minute, however, when a Tom Huddlestone free-kick was flicked towards goal by Michael Dawson only for the American stopper to intervene.

Sharp reactions from Friedel yet again proved decisive a heartbeat later with Malbranque sending Aaron Lennon charging in on goal only for the Rovers keeper to deflect his effort to safety.

Malbranque and Keane, who replaced Jermain Defoe in the starting line-up, combined well in the 28th minute but Andre Ooijer was alert to the danger.

Spurs had taken a stranglehold on the match once again and were well on top with 15 minutes of the first half remaining.

Samba headed a Huddlestone free-kick clear to safety as the London club continued to probe away at Blackburn's creaking defence.

However, Spurs' efforts to unpick the opposition rearguard became increasingly speculative as the half petered out.

Savage limped off on the stroke of half time with Aaron Mokoena coming on as his replacement.

Malbranque was covering plenty of ground, making several timely tackles in a committed display that will have caught the eye of Ramos.

The Frenchman maybe have been missing the creative spark he was bought to provide, but Keane made up for that by starting and finishing Spurs' 49th-minute equaliser.

The Republic of Ireland marksman found Aaron Lennon with a beautifully-weighted pass that sent the jet-heeled Spurs winger racing in on goal.

Struggling to contain Lennon, Stephen Warnock sent him tumbling and referee Rob Styles immediately pointed to the spot.

Keane bamboozled Friedel to rifle home the penalty and Warnock went into Styles' book for the offending challenge.

Lennon then forced a last-gasp save from Friedel as the home side, buoyed by their strike, went in search of a second.

But disaster struck for Spurs in the 60th minute when McCarthy pounced with the equaliser, collecting Bentley's pass and finding the net via a slight deflection off Dawson.

A Berbatov header was kept out superbly by Friedel and the match was finely poised as it entered the final 20 minutes.

Darren Bent replaced Malbranque in the 77th minute, before words were exchanged in the dug out and on the pitch where a small of group of players squared-up.

Spurs brought on Jermain Defoe with two minutes to go in attempt to rescue, but instead the late drama came at the opposite end.

Brett Emerton caused panic in the Spurs defence with the initial free-kick and when the ball was played to an unmarked Samba the winner seemed inevitable.

The Congo defender curled his effort into the bottom left corner for a magnificent finish that gave Cerny no chance.


• Allen unsure about Spurs future

Tottenham caretaker-manager Clive Allen admitted his reluctance to hand over the coaching reins to Juande Ramos despite today's 2-1 defeat by Blackburn.


Allen's one-match stint as boss, bridging the gap between Martin Jol's exit on Thursday and Ramos's arrival, ended in a dramatic fashion at White Hart Lane.


Congo defender Christopher Samba pounced in injury-time to complete a Rovers comeback started by Benni McCarthy's 60th-minute strike.


Allen admitted his pride at taking charge of the team for the first - and only - time, but hinted that his own future is uncertain in light of Jol's departure.


'We lost over 93 minutes. I'd be happy to still be out there trying to win the game,' said Allen.


'I'm not glad it's over because football is my life and I've enjoyed every second of it. I was born into a footballing family.


'I have a big association with this club and I'm very, very proud to have taken the team today.'


When asked about Jol's departure and his own future, Allen replied: 'Football is a cruel game.


'I will report for work in the morning. I'm passionate about the work I do at the football club and I'd like to go forward with Tottenham.'


Ramos visited the changing room after today's defeat to meet the players for the first time, and Allen admitted he was impressed by the Spaniard.


'I met Ramos after the game with all the players. He spoke briefly to the players. He said that we start tomorrow morning,' he said.


'He comes with a fantastic reputation in terms of the team he built at Sevilla, the success they achieved and style in which they played.'


Robbie Keane opened the scoring with a 49th-minute penalty, won when Stephen Warnock hauled down Aaron Lennon, to reward Spurs' dominance.


But once McCarthy equalised, Spurs - who had looked solid at the back - were struck by the defensive jitters that have plagued their season.


'The lads have been fantastic in the days I've been working with them. I've seen real determination,' said Allen.


'They know they haven't reached their capability and the results have reflected that. The performance deserved more than the result we got.


'They needed to produce a performance and I felt they did.'


Blackburn boss Mark Hughes admitted the outcome was harsh on the hosts but felt it was typical of his side's resilience.


'The result was tough for Spurs. We didn't play as well has we have done over the last couple of weeks,' he said.


'We've been excellent in a footballing sense but we never really got going in the first half today.


'We struggled to get a foothold in the game. We got away with it and although I wasn't too happy at half-time, at 0-0 we felt we could get something.


'After conceding the penalty we knew it was going to be a difficult day for us.


'But I sensed there is a determination in the players in the second half and they did really well getting back into the game.'


Victory did not come without cost, however, as Hughes revealed midfielder Robbie Savage may need minor surgery on a knee injury and could be out for two weeks.


'Robbie has tweaked his cartilage. He'll have a scan on Monday and may need a small operation to tidy it up,' he said.

UEFA CUP - Tottenham 1 Getafe 2

Tottenham lost 2-1 at home to Getafe in Thursday's UEFA Cup tie, a game which proved to be Martin Jol's last in charge.

News of Jol's departure dramatically emerged as his side were trying in vain to rescue a draw with the Spanish side.

Bookmakers had stopped taking bets on the Dutchman being the next boss to depart, while reports suggested he had agreed a severance package and that Juande Ramos was set to take over.

News had filtered through to the fans and they chanted 'stand up for Martin Jol' in appreciation of his three years at White Hart Lane. He brought consecutive fifth-placed finishes but could not buy a victory this season.

Nothing went right for him since Spurs officials met Sevilla coach Ramos in the first week of the campaign - they are still in the bottom three of the Premier League and their display against Getafe summed up their season.

They attacked with pace and threatened the Spaniards and at times looked like they would surely coast through the group stages of the UEFA Cup as they did last season.

At other times they were woeful, their defenders looking like they all had a mistake around the corner.

How Jol would have loved Ledley King at the start of the season as expected when he had his knee operation in the summer. Instead, Spurs have been undermined by a series of defensive lapses, and they were again against Getafe.

The disjointed performance suggested the players knew something was wrong, although Jol's team selection suggested a shake-up after the terrible defeat to Newcastle on Monday rather than a swansong.

On the bench was Michael Dawson, one of the players Jol criticised for mistakes at St James' Park but a stalwart of last season.

Dimitar Berbatov, who appeared reluctant to warm up as a substitute against Newcastle, was in the starting XI but was moody as he has been all season, a dip in form that has not helped Jol's cause.

The Spaniards set about with their plan to inflict more misery on Jol, seizing on their lack confidence.

Radek Cerny, deputising for Paul Robinson in goal for Spurs, had to deal with an awkward shot from Braulio Nobrega as the Spaniards issued an early warning.

Younes Kaboul lost the ball in his own penalty area, the kind of mistake Jol highlighted ahead of the game, but Esteban Granero flashed wide when the ball was laid back to him.

Granero also tried his luck from long distance as the Spaniards grew in confidence.

However, it was Jermain Defoe, the man Jol failed to keep happy, who broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 19th minute, taking his tally to three for the season, all of them in the UEFA Cup.

Pascal Chimbonda had his first cross blocked from the right but then curled the rebound to the far post where Berbatov headed into the path of Defoe, who nodded home.

The visitors were level within two minutes, Granero's free-kick from around 40 yards bouncing in, with Ruben de la Red claiming the slightest of touches.

Jol was furious on the sidelines and he was angry again shortly after when Berbatov headed in Tom Huddlestone's cross but the effort was disallowed for offside.

Spurs looked rocked, losing their composure and slicing clearances at all angles. Defoe looked to take the fight to the visitors, storming through and getting his effort blocked. He also blazed over in the final stages of the first half.

It got worse for Spurs when Anthony Gardner picked up an injury and was replaced by Dawson. Gardner was carried off on the stretcher with a serious-looking injury.

Reports of Jol's future emerged during the break, making for a strange atmosphere as he was still in the dug-out for the second half.

Fans asked for their customary wave from the Dutchman - although this one was interpreted as a wave goodbye. They chanted for their manager, and also sang in protest against chairman Daniel Levy.

The Spaniards scored their winner with 20 minutes remaining when David Cortes crossed and Nobrega side-footed home.

It would not have been how Jol wanted to go.

Newcastle 3 Tottenham 1

Newcastle plunged Tottenham boss Martin Jol into ever deeper trouble as they secured a fourth successive Premier League victory, 3-1 at St James' Park.

The Magpies took full advantage of some kamikaze defending by the Londoners, who remain rooted inside the relegation zone, to claim all three points despite having to survive a concerted fightback.

Obafemi Martins fired the home side in front on the stroke of half-time after embarrassing Michael Dawson, and the unmarked Claudio Cacapa made it 2-0 six minutes after the break with a powerful header.

Robbie Keane's seventh goal in as many games briefly gave the visitors hope with a 57th-minute strike, but substitute James Milner made sure with a 73rd-minute volley to cement his side's eighth-place standing in front of a crowd of 51,411.

Jol's pre-match comments about his side's relative recent success compared to that of the Magpies was left to sound hollow as the Tyneside club completed a fourth successive league victory over the men from White Hart Lane.

Newcastle chairman Chris Mort took the opportunity in his programme notes to dismiss speculation that owner Mike Ashley is ready to buy into Spurs, and that he supports the north London club, and the billionaire took his seat in the directors' box once again wearing his black and white shirt.

Ashley headed for the hospitality lounges at the break wearing a broad smile after seeing the Magpies eventually grind down a Spurs outfit low on confidence to take a deserved lead.

Newcastle had not lost at St James' this season before kick-off, while Spurs had not won outside of London, and after a reasonably even opening, a pattern started to emerge.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce had little choice but to pair England international Michael Owen and the similarly diminutive Martins in attack with Mark Viduka still nursing a calf injury and Shola Ameobi only fit enough for a seat on the bench.

However, despite some less than intelligent service at times, their pace and movement was simply too much for Younes Kaboul and Dawson.

That said, it was defender Abdoulaye Faye who came within inches of opening the scoring on 13 minutes when he thumped a header against the post from Charles N'Zogbia's corner.

season.

The visitors, who started with £16.5million signing Darren Bent on the pitch and Dimitar Berbatov on the bench, might have gone ahead seconds after Faye had rattled the woodwork.

Jermaine Jenas' free-kick found Keane, but the Republic of Ireland skipper's shot was hacked off the line by Cacapa to the relief of Allardyce's defence.

Owen was left criminally unmarked on 27 minutes to run on to Geremi's pass and curl a shot towards the bottom corner, which is exactly where it would have ended up had Paul Robinson's replacement Radek Cerny not managed to get his fingertips to it.

The goalkeeper distinguished himself once again two minutes before the break when, after Martins had brushed off the towering Kaboul to reach Jose Enrique's long ball, he blocked the striker's shot with his legs.

But Spurs did not learn the lesson and when the Spaniard launched the ball upfield two minutes later, Martins ran away from Dawson to control and fire through the goalkeeper for his fifth goal of the season.

Milner arrived as a half-time replacement for N'Zogbia and took up his place on the left wing.

Tottenham emerged in determined fashion with Keane, as ever, at the forefront, but their hopes were severely dented within six minutes when the Magpies increased their lead.

Dawson blocked a flicked header from Owen out for a corner, but when Emre delivered the ball to the near post, Cacapa ran in unopposed to power a header into the back of the net.

But as the home side sensed blood, the visitors grabbed a lifeline when Bent headed a Pascal Chimbonda cross against the post and saw the rebound sit up nicely for Keane to reduce the deficit.

Jol responded by sending on Berbatov in place of Steed Malbranque as St James' descended into a nervous hush, and the anxiety increased by the minute both on and off the pitch as the visitors took control.

The mood did not improve on 70 minutes when referee Steve Bennett waved away Nicky Butt's claims for a foul by Didier Zokora deep in the Spurs half, and the visitors raced away for Bent to blast over.

Allardyce decided the time was right for Joey Barton to make his competitive bow, and within two minutes of his arrival, his side restored their two-goal lead.

Kaboul was unable to clear his lines and although Milner miskicked his first effort, the ball fell nicely for him to blast a left-foot volley into the bottom corner and end Spurs' hopes of another comeback.

• Jol defiant after latest defeat

Beleaguered Tottenham boss Martin Jol vowed to turn his troubled side's season around after seeing them suffer a mauling at Newcastle.

Spurs remain rooted in the bottom three with only one Premier League win all season after a 3-1 defeat at St James' Park which piled further pressure on the manager.

Glaring defensive errors contributed to their downfall at St James' Park as Sam Allardyce's men took full advantage of their edginess to complete a fourth successive league win on Tyneside.

The defeat ended Spurs' unbeaten six-game run and left Jol facing fresh criticism, although he remained unbowed.

He said: 'If everybody comes back, we have got a very good team and a very good defence.

'We still lack a bit of leadership, but it is about mental strength as well.

'Two years ago, we had that; last year at the start of the season, we lacked it as well, but we came back.

'Even today, we tried to come back, but we concede goals at the wrong moment all the time.'

The visitors fell behind on the stroke of half-time when Obafemi Martins out-stripped Michael Dawson to control Jose Enrique's long ball and fire past Paul Robinson's replacement, Radek Cerny.

Defender Claudio Cacapa made it 2-0 within six minutes of the restart with a free header, and although Robbie Keane pulled one back on 57 minutes to spark a fightback, substitute James Milner sealed the win 17 minutes from time.

Jol had introduced striker Dimitar Berbatov as a 58th-minute replacement for Steed Malbranque, and was swift to deny suggestions that the Bulgarian, who immediately gave his side a greater threat, had needed to be persuaded to make an appearance.

He said: 'No. I have heard that, but that was rubbish.

'There was no problem at all. Berbatov knows exactly what the schedule is for the next couple of weeks.

'He was fine. He played when (Darren) Bent did not play for two weeks and he could train.

'I need him on Thursday (for the UEFA Cup clash with Getafe). He knows that and I don't know where this rubbish is coming from.'

Jol's mood was not improved by a foot injury to big-money summer signing Gareth Bale, who will undergo a scan tomorrow.

The manager said: 'Hopefully he is not out for long because we have five games in 13 days.

'Hopefully, it is not too bad, but it doesn't look good.

'His foot was swelling up after the game, so it could be a pretty tough injury.'

Allardyce was sporting a broad smile as he surveyed a result which capped his side's best start to a season in a decade.

He said: 'We scored three great goals tonight, we outplayed Tottenham, we went out there and did what we wanted to do, and that was get three points.

'We have not moved in the table, but we have got within one point of the top pack now.

'We have played nine games, we have 17 points and it is our best start in 10 years now.

'From my point of view and that of the players, with us all just coming together in July, it is a terrific performance up to now from the team.

'That is three games on the trot we have scored three goals at home now, and at this moment in time, our home record is getting us where we want to go.

'We have got to make sure next week at Reading, we do not waste all this hard work. This home record has got to continue into the away record to make sure we come away from Reading with something.'

Liverpool 2 Tottenham 2

Fernando Torres' injury-time equaliser salvaged a fortunate 2-2 draw for Liverpool to prevent Tottenham recording a win which would have lifted the pressure on Martin Jol.

Jol watched with pride as his side almost forced the club's first win at Anfield since 1993; it would have been only Spurs' fourth league success at the home of the Reds since 1912.

The visitors fought for everything only to have their hearts broken two minutes into injury-time when Torres rose to head the equaliser.

Andriy Voronin had opened the scoring for the home team only for Robbie Keane to score either side of half-time.

• Jol still in the dark over his future

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez made his now obligatory five changes following the Champions League defeat at home to Marseille, but there was not even a role for Peter Crouch on the bench.

His ineffective display in midweek had not helped his cause, while Benitez brought back John Arne Riise, Voronin, Jermaine Pennant, Alvaro Arbeloa and Javier Mascherano.

Spurs made just two changes from the side that fought back from 4-1 to draw with Aston Villa on Monday. Jermaine Jenas, recovered from an abdominal strain, and Young-Pyo Lee replaced Aaron Lennon and Tom Huddlestone.

The match brought together two managers under pressure; Benitez because of his tinkering with the side and the abject European defeat in midweek, and Jol because his job seems to be under threat on a match-to-match basis.

There was extra tension in the air, but it did not stop Spurs from venturing forward. They almost took the lead after just two minutes when Gareth Bale curled a 20-yard free-kick inches wide of a post.

Voronin saw a 20-yard shot easily saved by Paul Robinson four minutes later, but after 12 minutes the Ukrainian was more successful.

Jenas had pulled back Steven Gerrard 25 yards out and, when the Liverpool skipper crashed the free-kick through the wall, Robinson could only half stop the deflected effort, and Voronin punished him by scoring on the rebound.

Undaunted Spurs retaliated with a flicked header from Keane which dropped just wide, and then a right-footed drive from the Irishman flashed across Jose Reina's goal.

Torres jinked his way through before sending a low drive just wide before Gerrard almost made it 2-0 with a 20-yard free-kick which crashed against the foot of Robinson's left-hand post after 28 minutes.

It was a very open game and Jenas was next to try his luck with a dipping drive just over.

At the other end, Arbeloa and Voronin exchanged passes to set up Torres for a shot that Robinson held.

Liverpool should have scored after 34 minutes when Torres, Voronin and Gerrard broke away, but the chance was wasted in the box after a flurry of passes and a Voronin effort was deflected away.

But Spurs deservedly equalised after 44 minutes when Dimitar Berbatov nodded on Robinson's long clearance, and Keane got in between Steve Finnan and Sami Hyypia to flick a shot past the advancing Reina.

Two minutes into the second half Keane struck again. Robinson's free-kick for a foul by Torres soared down the field to be headed on by Berbatov, and this time Keane got to the glanced pass to lift the ball over Reina into the roof of the net.

Spurs continued to come forward and, after Bale's grafting had retained possession on the left, the ball was transferred to Jenas, who fired wide from the edge of the box.

Liverpool were being forced into mistakes as Spurs continued to press for a third. The home side did break out, but after Voronin's surge the chance fell to Gerrard, who drove over.

Michael Dawson was booked for a foul on Torres, with Ryan Babel coming on for Arbeloa as Liverpool searched for attacking inspiration. Then the limping Pennant was replaced by another striker Dirk Kuyt.

There was an air of desperation now about Liverpool - yet another team had come to Anfield and attacked them - and they were not enjoying it.

The hard-working Teemu Tainio was replaced by Steed Malbranque after 75 minutes, with Liverpool still showing little sign of an equaliser.

That was until Robinson spilled another long-range effort, this time from Steve Finnan. But Dawson managed to hook the ball away from the danger area.

Yossi Benayoun was the last throw of the dice after 77 minutes in place of Voronin. Robinson saved well at his near post from Mascherano, while John Arne Riise and Torres both blazed efforts high over.

Mascherano fired just wide from 20 yards, with time apparently running out for Liverpool who had not been able to mount the expected grandstand finish.

But two minutes into injury-time, Torres finally found some space in the box when he rose to head home Finnan's cross to give Liverpool a fortunate point.

• Jol still in the dark over his future

Martin Jol's Tottenham side made it six games undefeated as the north Londoners claimed a deserved point at Liverpool, but he still admitted he does not know what his future holds.

A Robbie Keane double had put Spurs in control, but Jol insisted: 'I do not know about the future, I do not pull the strings and I do not have any control over the scenario. If I did, everything would be quiet.

'But see my team, they want to fight and they fight every game. The players always stay the same, it is very positive.'

Andriy Voronin put Liverpool ahead early on, but Spurs attacked constantly and looked as if they were heading for their first Anfield win since 1993.

Jol said: 'We could not get the third (goal), we had the breaks and that would have ended it. I just couldn't understand how we didn't achieve that.

'Everyone has said we deserved to win, and that is how we feel. In particular in the second half we were on top of them and caused a lot of problems.

'That was good. They had suffered a bad defeat against Marseille in midweek and we knew they would want to do better and we expected a difficult match.

'Then we conceded a goal like that at the beginning, which didn't help, I felt we did well to come back into the game. We raided quickly, were strong in midfield and Robbie Keane scored a couple of good goals.

'But in the end it was a bad result for us. But we have got a great spirit, everyone can see that, we have done a lot of travelling in midweek to Cyprus and then up here to Liverpool.

'It has been a difficult time for us. But we took a lot of confidence from this.'

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez must have felt his side were going to lose for the second time at Anfield in five days, following the 1-0 Champions League reverse against Marseille.

He said: 'Of course we are disappointed. The character was fine, we worked hard but we conceded two very bad goals, the sort we do not normally let in.

'Those two mistakes cost us. They were so clear, so easy to stop. It is not normal to see us concede goals like that.

'We were much better than them in the first half, we could have scored a few more. But we didn't and that left us with a difficult second half.'

UEFA CUP - Famagusta 1 Tottenham 1

Robbie Keane saved Martin Jol from an embarrassing defeat against Anorthosis Famagusta as Tottenham booked their place in the UEFA Cup group stages in unconvincing fashion in Cyprus.

Fabio De Matos Pereira, known as Fabinho, had given the hosts the lead at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium.

But Keane came off the bench to level on the night after the Barclays Premier League side had established a 6-1 lead from the first leg two weeks ago.

Losing the tie was never realistic and boss Jol looked as relaxed as he has been all season as Spurs created chances for Jermain Defoe in the first half.

But he was more animated in the second half when Fabinho broke the deadlock - and then brought on Gareth Bale and Keane.

• Keane sick of Jol speculation

After their wretched start to the season when Jol has appeared undermined by his own club, a solid victory would have been welcomed ahead of the trip to Liverpool before the international break.

After defeat to Arsenal last month it was suggested Jol would have until the international break before his future was decided.

At least Keane's strike meant they are unbeaten since their rivals defeated them.

The pitch in Larnaca was bobbly and underprepared, increasing the chances of a similar goalkeeper blunder to Paul Robinson's air-shot for England against Croatia.

Robinson, though, had no trouble putting his foot through the ball and as he looked to quickly get over his blunders against Aston Villa.

He was one of only four players to remain in the side from Monday's epic against Villa when Jol appeared to be on the brink before his side staged their comeback from 4-1 down to draw 4-4.

Kevin-Prince Boateng was given his debut following his summer move from Hertha Berlin, and the young German was quickly in the action as he flew into tackles and sent over crosses from the right.

Aside from a Fabinho shot, Famagusta were struggling to impose themselves on Spurs early on, although they had clearly targeted set-pieces as the visitors' weakness.

It was only Defoe's second start of the season. He had scored twice in the first leg and had plenty of chances to add to his tally.

Darren Bent set him up in the seventh minute after cutting inside his marker on the left and squaring, only for his strike partner to fire high and wide.

Steed Malbranque found Defoe in the six-yard box 10 minutes before the break but he stabbed straight at the goalkeeper, then just before the break the striker struck the post after the Frenchman found him again.

Bent had a frustrating first half, getting flagged incorrectly twice and seeing a dangerous cross cleared when he got behind the defence.

Malbranque also had a chance, meeting Paul Stalteri's cross with a scissor-kick just before the break, with the Frenchman's effort going over the crossbar.

Famagusta came out brightly for the second half and Fabinho fired over the bar from the edge of the area.

They took the lead in the 54th minute when Nikolaos Frousos appeared to control a hanging cross with his arm and pulled back for Fabinho to volley neatly into the bottom corner, giving Robinson no chance. Robinson was booked for his protests.

Malbranque had an immediate chance to level but Zoltan Nagy saved with his legs when the Frenchman ran through.

Temuri Ketsbaia, the Famagusta coach who used to play for Newcastle, brought on former Southampton striker Marians Pahars to keep the pressure on Spurs.

Tom Huddlestone tried his luck from long range, while Vincent Laban fired just wide from the edge of the area after Michael Dawson failed to clear.

Keane came on for Young-Pyo Lee to beef up Spurs' attack and he got his goal in the 78th minute. Bale crossed from the left and Bent dummied, with Keane side-footing into the top corner.


Keane sick of Jol speculation

Robbie Keane is hoping for an end to the uncertainty around Martin Jol's future after coming off the bench to save the Tottenham boss from an embarrassing UEFA Cup defeat against Anorthosis Famagusta.

Losing the tie was never a prospect after Spurs travelled to Cyprus with a 6-1 lead from the first leg but they reached the group stages in unconvincing fashion in Larnaca.

After defeat to Arsenal last month it was suggested that Jol's future at the club could be decided in the next international break.

Although the cracks in their defence have remained, Spurs and Jol have been unbeaten since their rivals beat them. The Dutchman's position, though, has been concerning since club officials met Sevilla's Juande Ramos at the start of the season.

'I'm sick of people even talking about it to be honest,' said Keane. 'We are trying to do a job for the team and to get a result.'

Jol added: 'I'm used to it, I have to cope with it.

'It's been going on for the last six or seven weeks - but I feel in the last month we have done well.'

Only four players remained from the epic clash with Aston Villa on Monday and Jol admitted his side lacked rhythm.

Paul Robinson was given the opportunity to atone for his blunders against Villa and he had no chance with Fabinho's strike in the 54th minute.

Nikolaos Frousos appeared to use his arm to control a hanging cross before he pulled the ball back for Fabinho to volley home.

'I still consider this game as a clean sheet, if you see the goal,' said Jol. 'They had two keepers on the pitch.

'It would have been better if we could have kept a clean sheet because it was one of our targets - the only thing we could gain at 6-1 up.'

Spurs should have extended their lead before Famagusta struck, with Jermain Defoe hitting the post in the first half and also firing straight at the goalkeeper when found in the six-yard box.

The turning point for the visitors came when Jol brought on Keane in the 75th minute.

Within three minutes he had scored, getting on the end of Gareth Bale's cross after Darren Bent had intelligently dummied.

'I have to think positively and for me it's great that Tottenham are in Europe again,' Jol added. 'We had a couple of thousand supporters here and it is always good to see them happy.

'Jermain Defoe had five or six chances on his own, Darren Bent had two big chances. If you don't finish them off you have to settle for a draw.'

Jol has been criticised for his substitutions but bringing Bale and Keane on effectively spared his blushes.

'We had enough time and I knew Bale is good going forward and Keane is a good finisher,' Jol said. 'We needed them both. I wanted to win, that is why I put Adel (Taarabt) on to change things. In the end, we're going to the next round.'

Famagusta coach Temur Ketsbaia was pleased with the reaction of his players after they were trounced at White Hart Lane.

'I'm really proud of my players because they fought against a quality side,' said the former Newcastle striker. 'Maybe they have problems but they have a good team and a good manager.

'I'm happy because we gave 100% and did everything we didn't do in London. We will concentrate on the league now.

'It was not easy for them because they played on Monday and there was a change of climate.'

Tottenham 4 Aston Villa 4

Younes Kaboul struck in injury-time to rescue a point for Tottenham and beleaguered boss Martin Jol in an epic 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.

Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring for Spurs but two goals from Martin Laursen edged the visitors ahead and Gabriel Agbonlahor and Craig Gardner added to the lead.

But Pascal Chimbonda and Robbie Keane pulled goals back and deep into added time Kaboul found the top corner to level the scores.

Jol appeared a man on the brink after Tottenham fell 4-1 behind but his side dug deep to earn a point on the evening of their 125th anniversary celebrations.

Martin O'Neill's men had not scored away from home in the Premier League this season prior to this contest.

But they were gifted a healthy advantage by Spurs' leaky defence - with England goalkeeper Paul Robinson having a shocking night.

Robinson has appeared short on confidence at times this season and he should have kept out two strikes from Laursen. In fairness, he had little chance with precise finishes from Agbonlahor and Gardner.

Nothing has gone right for Jol since Spurs officials met Sevilla coach Juande Ramos at the start of the season - but French youngster Kaboul popped up just when it appeared his bad luck had continued.

Had Bolton and Derby not been playing each other at the weekend, Spurs may have gone into the match bottom of the table, and their first-half performance was worthy of a team at the basement.

They took the opportunity to parade their legends and the cups they have won in their illustrious history, but a second league win of the season will do at the moment.

The legends were introduced onto the pitch but they were given a first-half horror show after Berbatov had given them the lead.

They were given early warnings, with Villa doing their homework and exposing Spurs' weakness at crosses and set-pieces.

Ashley Young, who was linked with Spurs less than a year ago, tested Robinson with a low cross-shot and a swerving drive, while Wilfred Bouma's cross just evaded Agbonlahor at the far post.

The goalscoring started in the 20th minute and Laursen was in the thick of the action.

The Dane failed to track Berbatov and the Bulgaria striker headed powerfully home from Tom Huddlestone's corner, his second goal of the season.

Laursen made up for it immediately. Robinson came to claim Gareth Barry's corner but dropped it, with Laursen prodding home after a ricochet off Chimbonda.

A wretched injury record had deprived Laursen of action over the last few years, and he seemed intent on making up for, next getting lifted off his feet when blocking Aaron Lennon's shot from the edge of the area.

Laursen then got his second of the game in the 33rd minute. Young took a quick free-kick to Barry on the left, his cross was met by Zat Knight and struck Laursen before finding the net.

Agbonlahor made it 3-1 five minutes from half-time when he won the ball off Michael Dawson after a Luke Moore flick-on, twisted into the penalty area and finished neatly, low into the far corner of Robinson's net.

It could have got worse for Robinson just after the break when he appeared to bring down Agbonlahor after failing to hold Young's free-kick, but referee Mike Dean waved play on.

Jol responded by bringing on Jermain Defoe for Teemu Tainio but they were three goals adrift just before the hour mark after Kaboul tripped Agbonlahor on the edge of the penalty area.

Gardner smashed the ball around the wall and into the far post.

While Robinson was having a shocker, Scott Carson looked in control at the other end and saved well with his feet when Defoe was sent through.

Spurs pulled one back when Defoe hit the post from Gareth Bale's cross and Chimbonda followed up.

Marlon Harewood almost embarrassed Robinson by charging down a kick, but the striker then brought down substitute Darren Bent at the other end.

Keane tucked away the penalty to set up an exciting finish, with Kaboul slamming home in stoppage time after Villa failed to clear a corner.