Spurs’ problems deepened further on Monday as they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa to leave them bottom of the Premiership with just a point after four matches.
Goals by Nigel Reo-Coker — his first for the club in the Premiership and first in almost two years since scoring for West Ham against Manchester United — and Ashley Young were enough to see Aston Villa climb to fourth in the table as they recorded their first win at White Hart Lane in nine visits.
Darren Bent grabbed a consolation goal four minutes before the end.
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill was ecstatic at his side’s performance.
”I thought it was sensational,” purred the Northern Irishman. ”The first-half performance was unbelievable.
”We can attack, score goals and are a delight to watch when on form like that.
”In the second-half we got a bit tired. But we deserved to win — I thought we were exceptional.”
Spurs assistant Gus Poyet admitted the better side had won but refused to criticise the players.
”We have to share everything — when we win and when we lose,” said Poyet, who had been strongly linked with the vacancy at Newcastle.
”I thought we tried hard — there is nothing to complain about the players’ attitude.”
Villa snatched an early lead as Reo-Coker shot home after fine work by Gabriel Agbonlahor, who turned Spurs’ Croatian debutant fullback, Vedran Corluka, inside out.
His pass into the box was stepped over by John Carew and Reo-Coker, who had escaped from marker Gareth Bale, had no problem putting the ball beyond the Spurs keeper.
Spurs almost got back on level terms immediately as Luka Modric went on a mazy run, but his shot was saved by Brad Friedel.
However, the hosts were fortunate not to go 2-0 down after 20 minutes as Reo-Coker whipped in a cross and Gareth Barry beat both the Spurs central defenders to the ball, only for the keeper to claw it away just off the line.
Spurs settled down as the half progressed and Friedel was forced into a save with 10 minutes remaining of the period as Tom Huddlestone fired one in from outside the box.
Spurs manager Juande Ramos added a bit more attacking flair in the second half by bringing on David Bentley for defensive midfielder Didier Zokora to try to spark some life into the hosts.
Friedel was brought into action two minutes into the second-half as he saved from a Darren Bent header, after good work down the left flank by Aaron Lennon.
The American goalkeeper had to produce another fine save shortly afterwards as Lennon let fly from the right, Friedel tipping the ball over the bar.
However, Spurs’ bright start to the half came to nothing as Young scored with a long-range effort in the 54th minute.
Spurs were given some hope when Bent struck from inside the box after being set up by Jermaine Jenas.
However, it was Villa who came closest to adding to the score when substitute Marlon Harewood had a shot cleared off the line by Bale. — Sapa-AFP