LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur enjoyed its first home win of the season with a 2-1 victory over a spirited Queens Park Rangers side during an entertaining affair at White Hart Lane.
After an enterprising start, the visitors got their reward and took the lead through Bobby Zamora after a through ball from Alejandro Faurlin on the edge of the box saw the one-time Tottenham striker deftly finish to stun the home supporters.
While Tottenham struggled to fashion any clear-cut openings in the first half, they were different altogether in the second half, and they grabbed two goals in quick succession. A Faurlin own goal brought them level before Jermain Defoe put them ahead by tapping home from six yards out after a fantastic break for the eventual winner.
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas restored Brad Friedel to the starting lineup after handing Hugo Lloris his debut against Lazio in the UEFA Europa League, and Clint Dempsey was handed his first league start for his new club with Gareth Bale stationed behind him at left back.
Meanwhile, a first-half goal from Demba Ba was enough to give Newcastle a hard-fought home win over Norwich.
The first chance of the game produced its first goal, and came against the run of play, as the home side went on its first real attack.
Hatem Ben Arfa cut in from the right, after being given too much spac, before playing a delightful chipped pass through the middle for Ba, who coolly slotted the ball in the goal.
It would be Ben Arfa who would deliver the game’s next opportunity, as he nearly went from provider to goalscorer on 22 minutes. The former Lille man was inches a way from latching on to a pass, but missed the ball as he tried to lob Ruddy.
Norwich remained a threat on the break, though, and soon produced another chance. A swift Canaries break down the left flank saw Andrew Surman’s cross met strongly by Robert Snodgrass, whose header was hacked away.
Before halftime there was already looking to be a clear contender for man of the match. More fantastic play from Ben Arfa saw him run past Surman before slipping a precise pass into the path of Ba, but the striker couldn’t connect, allowing Ruddy to pick up the pieces.
With the visitors looking to see the game out until the break, clumsy defending by Turner gave Newcastle the chance to double the lead. The Norwich centre back barged into Williamson in the box, making the referee’s decision an easy one.
Out-of-sorts striker Papiss Cisse stepped up to take the spot kick, but blazed over, leaving his side with a narrow lead going into the second period, which, thankfully for Cisse, was all that was needed. (Agencies)