Juande Ramos marked his home Premier League debut with a comprehensive 4-0 win over managerless Wigan.
Ramos records first Premier League win
Tottenham boss Juande Ramos marked his home Premier League debut with a comprehensive 4-0 win over managerless Wigan at White Hart Lane.
Spurs strolled into a 2-0 lead after 26 minutes with Jermaine Jenas netting twice, before the inspirational Dimitar Berbatov showed exquisite skill to deftly set up Aaron Lennon, who spectacularly volleyed in a third from 20 yards 11 minutes before half-time.
Wigan, who have undergone their own managerial upheaval following the departure of Chris Hutchings six days ago, posed a non-existent threat to the Tottenham defence and caretaker boss Frank Barlow's only response was to replace David Cotterill with Antoine Sibierski shortly before the interval.
In the second 45 minutes Berbatov, whose commitment to the Spurs cause has been questioned, continued to provide a master-class performance and he played a role in Tottenham's fourth on 72 minutes.
Clever
Berbatov cleverly found Lennon who fed substitute Darren Bent and the striker fired past Chris Kirkland in the Wigan goal with ease.
Tottenham could have increased their lead as Berbatov rattled the Wigan bar late on, but he was not to get his deserved goal.
Although Spurs' marking was still slack at times, the visitors were toothless in attack and it was not long before the hosts took control, the opener coming in the 13th minute.
Robbie Keane was fed the ball on the left by Steed Malbranque before tricking Andreas Granqvist on the byline. His cross should have been dealt with by Kirkland but the goalkeeper's effort could not prevent Jenas tapping in on the line.
Smile
Keane's volley that dipped over and a long-range effort from Berbatov suggested Spurs were intent on attacking.
Berbatov was criticised for appearing unhappy this week but he had a smile back on his face and the Bulgarian's flicks and tricks were coming off.
He set up the next two goals, the first of which came in the 26th minute.
Keane was offside when Berbatov's through ball was made, but Jenas had made a run on the blindside of the Wigan defence. The Spurs midfielder rounded Kirkland before planting his finish past Kevin Kilbane on the line.
Close shave
For the third, Berbatov trapped Paul Robinson's huge kick before providing a nonchalant cushioned pass to Lennon. The winger took one touch before drilling a volley into the far post.
Jenas should have had a hat-trick a minute before the break, latching onto another Berbatov flick before heading into the penalty area - but his finish shaved the post.
The second half was a case of how many goals Spurs could muster.
Keane lobbed over when he was sent through just after the restart as Ramos' men refused to sit back.
Pascal Chimbonda, the former Wigan full-back who was jeered by the travelling support, forced a save from Kirkland at the near post.
Keane was taken off for Bent, while Malbranque picked up a knock and was replaced by Teemu Tainio.
Spurs striker Bent added the fourth 17 minutes before the end, his finish going in off the post after Jenas had threaded him through.
Jermain Defoe also came on but got struck straight between the legs when Younes Kaboul's effort crashed off the bar.
| Tottenham Hotspur |
Team Statistics |
Wigan Athletic |
| 4 |
Goals |
0 |
| 3 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 11 |
Shots off Target |
3 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 5 |
Corners |
2 |
| 8 |
Fouls |
16 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 76.3 |
Passing Success |
72.1 |
| 13 |
Tackles |
22 |
| 84.6 |
Tackles Success |
81.8 |
| 53.6 |
Possession |
46.4 |
| 50.3 |
Territorial Advantage |
49.7 |
|
