Carling Cup: Newcastle 1 Spurs 2

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A place in Saturday's draw for the fourth round of the Carling Cup was booked as our defence of the trophy began with victory at Newcastle by a 2-0 margin.

It represented our first win in domestic competition this season and will surely prove the perfect tonic to take into Sunday's Premier League contest against Portsmouth.

Roman Pavlyuchenko opened his account in a Spurs shirt to get us underway before Jamie O'Hara extended the advantage, seeing to it that a certain degree of confidence was restored to the ranks.

There were two changes from the side that started the eventual stalemate against Wigan last time out, with Ledley King and Aaron Lennon returning to the fold from the off.

Pavlyuchenko was provided with the opportunity to present his case for running solo in attack when the occasion next demands, this time in a cavernous arena that the locals opted to not populate in numbers on the night.

Both Pavlyuchenko and Heurelho Gomes took hefty bumps in the line of duty early on before our first threat on the home goal on 19 minutes. A Gareth Bale free-kick from left - a result of a hack by Geremi on Benoit Assou-Ekotto - was swung in and met by the shin of Jonathan Woodgate in front of goal. The defender's shin did not prove accurate in directing the ball goalwards.

A Jamie O'Hara corner was met cleverly by the head of Pavlyuchenko just after the half hour mark, before Woodgate threw his head at a set piece centre eight minutes before the break.

The pressing and more opportunist play was coming from the team in light blue and the Magpies were flapping a little, especially when Lennon sent Shay Given scurrying sideways unsure of whether his shot was going inside or outside of the upright.

In stoppage time Geremi tried his luck from a long-range free-kick that was diverted off the head of Cacapa and gave Gomes an anxious second as he watched it skid past his left hand post.

It was not an inspiring first half with both sides a little tentative in their attacking play, the result of which was probably more yellow cards than genuine goalscoring chances.

There was a real one shortly after the break when Damien Duff stole through and shot across Gomes and, as the home crowd rose to salute an opener, Woodgate slid in and scooped off the line.

Giovani was introduced with 52 minutes on the clock to replace the tiring Bale and the Mexican international instantly added some fizz to proceedings with a couple of darting runs deep into opposition territory. Assou-Ekotto then warmed up Given with a shot from distance on an increasingly chilly night.

Michael Owen then spun Woodgate and Gomes was forced to foil.

On 61 minutes the deadlock was broken and Pavlyuchenko was off the mark. A superbly flighted cross from the left by Lennon flew onto the grateful head of the Russian, who propelled the ball powerfully past Given.

The joy was doubled five minutes later - during which time Fraizer Campbell replaced Lennon - when Jamie O'Hara charged down Steven Taylor and broke through on goal. Bearing down on Given, he remained cool and applied a left-foot finish.

Pavlyuchenko was given a breather to allow for the return of Luka Modric after his knee injury. Gomes protected his clean sheet with a smart block from a powerful drive from Obafemi Martins, looking more and more a complete, composed and athletic goalkeeper.

He could do little about Michael Owen netting a consolation just before stoppage time, the Brazilian lurching out bravely to knock a Geremi cross off course, but the predator that is Owen was waiting to smash home the loose ball and offer some hope to the home side in the added three minutes.

It may not be points on the board in the Premier League, but it could well be a signpost towards improved fortunes ahead.

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I realize the article says the score was Newcastle 0 Spurs 2. It was actually Newcastle 1 Spurs 2.

Match: Spurs o Wigan 0

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Juande Ramos felt we deserved a penalty in the second half of Sunday's draw against Wigan - and was confident we would have gone on to win the match if it had been converted.

The controversial incident came in the 65th minute of the goalless draw in the Barclays Premier League encounter at the Lane.

Aaron Lennon snapped straight into form after his arrival from the bench and he'd only been on two minutes when a quick-footed turn in the box saw Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa stick out a leg and appear to bring the winger down.

That was certainly the opinion of 35,000 Spurs fans in the stadium but unfortunately not the man that mattered as referee Steve Tanner waved appeals away.

"It would have been possible to win the match with this penalty but the referee didn't blow the whistle and we could do nothing," said Head Coach Juande.

"We wanted to win, we wanted the three points but it wasn't to be.

"I've seen the incident - I was shown a replay of it after the match and I'm sure it was a penalty."

Nevertheless, it was a frustrating day at the Lane as we struggled to break down a well-drilled Wigan outfit.

Chances were few and far between but Lennon's arrival triggered our best spell. As well as the penalty claim, the winger drilled a volley just wide and in the same spell Fraizer Campbell was inches away from Gareth Bale's shot and the impressive Jamie O'Hara lashed another effort a yard wide.

"The pressure is very high because we all know we need to get a win," added Juande. "I understand the situation and that pressure in football is normal.

"Hopefully we can go to Newcastl

e (in the Carling Cup on Wednesday) and get that win and that will help the confidence of the team."

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UEFA Cup: Spurs 2 Wisla Krakow 1

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Darren Bent's winner proved to be the difference in a closely-fought UEFA Cup first round first leg tie against Wisla Krakow at White Hart Lane.

Debutant Fraizer Campbell's cross set up the striker for his third goal of the season, which gives us a vital lead going into the return leg in Poland in a fortnight's time.

David Bentley had given us a first half lead before Tomas Jirsak instantly hit back for the visitors - but the most important thing is a first victory of the 2008/09 campaign for Juande Ramos' side.

From the very first minute, Bentley seemed the man most likely to make something happen for us when he put in a teasing cross from the right that was cut out by goalkeeper Mariusz Pawelek.

The England midfielder was then the provider of two Spurs openings. On 24 minutes, he found Jonathan Woodgate at the back post with an in-swinging corner, but the defender's towering header was saved.

Bentley then released Bent one-on-one with the keeper on 31 minutes, but Pawelek was brave to come off his line and cut out the danger.

However, it seemed only a matter of time before Bentley himself did the damage, and he broke the deadlock two minutes later, sweeping home-left footed from 12 yards having been found by Aaron Lennon.

Prior to this, Wisla had created very little, with only Radoslaw Sobolewski and Rafal Boguski having attempts at goal, neither of which troubled Heurelho Gomes.

So it certainly came as somewhat of a shock when the visitors responded almost instantly to our opener.

Boguski beat Gareth Bale on the right-hand side and crossed for Pawel Brozek, who delicately touched into the path of the on-running Jirsak to finish.

However, it was us who took the momentum into the second half and both Bentley and Giovani Dos Santos went close before Bent had a goal wrongly disallowed.

Bale played in Jermaine Jenas down the left-hand side, and his ball across the face of goal was easily tapped in by the striker.

But the flag had already been raised for offside against JJ, even though replays clearly showed he had timed his run to perfection.

We needed fresh impetus, and Juande Ramos found it in the form of new boy Campbell, who he introduced from the bench on 57 minutes.

Straight away the young striker showed his determination, charging down goal-kicks and tracking back to win possession.

Then, on 73 minutes, he beautifully controlled a long ball, beat his marker and put in an inch perfect cross for strike partner Bent to head home.

On loan from Manchester United for the season, he certainly had the desired impact on this encounter, and could have even had one himself on 77 minutes when Bale's shot was so nearly parried back out to him.

Nonetheless, it was job done for the night, although it will undoubtedly be a tough challenge in Krakow in a fortnight's time as we look to seal our places in the group stages of the competition.

But there can be no doubting the confidence boost a first win of the season could provide going into Sunday's Premier League clash with Wigan Athletic at The Lane.

Spurs (4-4-1-1): Gomes; Gunter (O'Hara, 57), Woodgate, King, Bale; Bentley, Zokora, Jenas, Lennon (Campbell, 57); Giovani (Assou-Ekotto, 70); Bent
Subs not used: Cesar, Huddlestone, Gilberto, Dawson

Wisla (4-4-1-1): Pawelek; Singlar, Baszczynski, Cleber, Diaz; Boguski (Malecki, 73), Sobolewski, Cantoro, Zienczuk; Jirsak (Lobodzinski, 61); Brozek (Niedzielan, 79)
Subs not used: Juszczyk, Marcelo, Glowacki, Barreto

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Match: Spurs 1 Villa 2

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Juande Ramos' men are still looking for their first victory of the season after a third defeat of the campaign, this time at the hands of Aston Villa.

An early strike from Nigel Reo-Coker was doubled by Ashley Young in the second half, sending the Midlands side home with all three points despite Darren Bent's late consolation.

Transfer window signings Vedran Corluka and Roman Pavlyuchenko were handed their Spurs debuts, but the visitors had by far the better of the first half and they started as they meant to go on.

Good work down the left from Young set up Gabriel Agonlahor for the cross, which fizzed across the face of goal and was touched on towards the back post where Reo-Coker was on-hand to side-foot home after just four minutes.

Beyond this, much praise must go to Heurelho Gomes for keeping the scores at 1-0 until half-time came.

Reo-Coker was again involved on 22 minutes when his cross was met by Gareth Barry at the back post, and although the Brazilian stopper appeared to be wrong-footed with the ball rolling in, he somehow managed to scramble back and claw the ball to safety.

Just a moment later, Gomes came to the rescue again. Having punched clear Ashley Young's in-swinging corner, the former PSV man had to track back and make a spectacular save from a goal-bound Agbonlahor header after Nicky Shorey had helped the ball back into the danger zone.

To their credit, Juande Ramos' side had a relatively strong finish to the half, but it wasn't until the 35th minute that Brad Friedel was finally tested by a 30-yard Tom Huddlestone effort.

Aside from this, Pavlyuchenko was looking lively on his Spurs debut, and had a goal-bound effort blocked by the head of Curtis Davies on 21 minutes.

As the second half began, it looked as though we were going to take some of the impetus forward, especially when Aaron Lennon forced Friedel into a wonderful save to deny his 20-yard effort on 49 minutes.

But it wasn't to be, and four minutes later Villa were 2-0 up. England midfielder Young ran at our defence and hit a speculative 25-yard effort straight at Gomes. But unfortunately for the Brazilian, the ball slipped beneath him and into the net in a real horror moment.

Substitutes David Bentley and Giovani Dos Santos, along with Lennon and Bent, all had efforts on goal before the latter finally deflected home Jermaine Jenas' effort four minutes from time.

JJ was instrumental at the other end to keep the scores down in the dying seconds, making a brave block to deny Marlon Harewood with the goal gaping.

But despite a late rally, we now go into Thursday's UEFA Cup opener with Wisla Krakow at The Lane desperately needing to kick-start our campaign.

Spurs (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Dawson (Giovani, 61), Woodgate, Bale; Lennon, Zokora (Bentley, 45), Huddlestone, Modric (Jenas, 29); Pavlyuchenko, Bent
Subs not used: Cesar, Gilberto, O'Hara, Campbell

Villa (4-4-2): Friedel; L Young, Davies, Laursen, Shorey (Gardner, 87); Reo-Coker, Petrov, Barry, A Young; Agbonlahor (Harewood, 84), Carew (Milner, 62)
Subs not used: Guzan, Knight, Cuellar, Routledge

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9/15/08 - Spurs vs Aston Villa

Game listed to be televised live by Setanta. Setanta has it listed at 2 pm EST, while ESPN has it listed at 3 m EST for Gamecast. I will probably be at work in the West End and may swing by Bailey's on Broad St. Baileys, Mulligans, and Penny Lane are the only places in Richmond listed for Setanta. Let me know if anyone will be in the West End for the game.

Berba out, Fraizer Campbell loan + £30.75m

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Manchester United deal

The Club can announce that it has reached agreement with Manchester United for the permanent transfer of Dimitar Berbatov for a fee of £30.75m. As part of the settlement the Club has agreed not to pursue its official complaint to the Premier League.

The deal sees Fraizer Campbell coming the other way on a season long loan. Campbell, 20, spent last season on loan at Hull City where his goals played a pivotal role in the Tiger's promotion to the Premier League.

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Corluka deal agreed

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Corluka deal agreed

We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Vedran Corluka to the Club.

The defender, 22, is an international team-mate of Luka Modric and has been capped 24 times by Croatia, playing in every match of the recent European Championships.

Corluka came through the ranks at Dynamo Zagreb and after a season on loan at NK Inter Zapresic, won successive titles with Dynamo in 2006 and 2007.

He left for the Premier League and Manchester City in August 2007, where he featured at right-back, centre-back and in midfield, making 41 appearances in all competitions.

Corluka said: "I am delighted to be here because I am coming to a big club with great players, great ambition and also my best friend [Luka Modric] is here so it is a very happy day for me."

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Pavlyuchenko deal agreed

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Pavlyuchenko deal agreed

We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Spartak Moscow for the transfer of Roman Pavlyuchenko to the Club.

The striker, 26, has been capped 22 times by Russia and scored nine goals.

Roman hit the headlines in October, 2007 when he scored both goals as Russia beat England 2-1 in European Championship qualifying.

He followed that up with three goals in five games in this summer's finals - including goals against Holland and eventual winners Spain - as Russia reached the semi-finals.

Born in Mostovskoy, Roman started with local club FC Dinamo Stavropol before moving to FC Rotor Volgograd in the top flight in 2000. He switched to Spartak Moscow in 2003 and topped the goalscoring charts in Russia's Premier League in 2006 and 2007.

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Chlesea 1 - Spurs 1 8/31/08

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A first point of the season was recorded at Stamford Bridge courtesy of Darren Bent's first goal of the new campaign.

The striker struck on the stroke of half-time with a clinical finish in response to Juliano Belletti's opening.

It was a hard fought point and in no way undeserved. The team were spirited and resolute in equal measure and competitive in every department against Luiz Felipe Scolari's side. It was a point won and point made against last season's Premier League runners up.

There were two changes to the starting line-up from last week's reverse against Sunderland, with Chris Gunter slotting in at right-back and Giovani dos Santos returning to the first XI fold.

Luka Modric tucked in behind Darren Bent in attack, Giovani to the left of midfield, while Didier Zokora was restored to central midfield duties.

Five minutes in Heurelho Gomes got caught in no-man's land on the edge of his six-yard box when Frank Lampard was shaping to shoot from outside the area, the England man floating in a dipping that the Brazilian did brilliantly to stoop back and tip over. At the other end a Giovani cutback was diverted towards goal by Bent, but a deflection sent the ball wide of Petr Cech's goal.

The signs were encouraging possession-wise, but goalmouth activity at either end was of a premium before, on 25 minutes, a sumptious ball from Juliano Belletti saw Nicolas Anelka steal in behind Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate, although the pair troubled him enough to force a shot over the bar.

Michael Essien then rattled the crossbar and the deadlock was broken with 28 minutes on the clock. A Deco corner was connected with by the unmarked Belletti who reacted smartly to steer past Gomes.

The game became a little disjointed following the goal with attacking intent stumbling at the last third and Chelsea also not making a further impression after the little purple patch that saw them take the lead.

Then, just before half-time, Lampard made a hash of an attempted clearance from his rearguard and helped the ball back into the danger zone. It fell kindly for Bent, who zipped in on goal and placed a perfect finish past Cech to level the score with his first of the season.

The creation might have been fortunate, but the execution was precise and a foothold was placed firmly back in the game ahead of the second 45 minutes.

Ashley Cole fired across goal in the first salvo of the half after a clever leave from Lampard and the latter also chipped over with Gomes in retreat, as the tempo increased from the somewhat pedestrian nature of the first half exchanges.

Just before the hour Aaron Lennon was introduced in place of Giovani and Tom Huddlestone was also called upon, with Gunter making way after a strong performance at the back. Jermaine Jenas dropped in at right-back with Huddlestone moving in alongside Zokora in the heart of midfield.

Superb link up play between Huddlestone and Bent led to the midfielder having a powerful drive deflected wide of the post.

The balance of power was in the balance and this was reflected in the subdued atmosphere inside the stadium as we approached the final third of the half with neither side making significant in-roads into opposition territory.

Huddlestone was making an impact and adding a greater presence in central areas, with Lennon tasked with getting up in support of Bent in a speedier fashion. Jamie O'Hara by this point had been added to the mix, with Bentley withdrawn.

The energy levels of the team in white cranked up ten or so per cent in the final ten minutes and it took a crude trip to halt a lung-busting run from Bale as he closed in on goal. The seconds ticked by and the furstrations of the home crowd were becoming more and more audible. The words of the excitable on-pitch announcer at the start when he proclaimed 'welcome to the top of the league' were sounding a little hollow, not to mention it being far too early to be reading into league positions.

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