Martin jolly as Malbranque double helps Spurs thump Derby

AFP - 18 August 2007 20:19

Steed Malbranque of Tottenham celebrates scoring his second goal during the English Premiership match against Derby County FC at White Hart Lane stadium, in northern London. Malbranque´s double strike helped ease the pressure on Martin Jol as Tottenham ran out 4-0 winners against Derby.

LONDON (AFP) - Steed Malbranque's double strike helped ease the pressure on Martin Jol as Tottenham ran out 4-0 winners against Derby on Saturday.

The Frenchman's double and one each from Jermaine Jenas and Darren Bent gave Spurs their first points of the season and lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Jol's position was looking under threat before the game at White Hart Lane after Spurs' dismal start to the season. Bookmakers had briefly stopped taking bets that the Dutchman would be dismissed such were the large sums being placed on his sacking, but he can breathe a little easier now.

The home team came into the game without their top-scorer from last season, Dimitar Berbatov, who sustained a groin injury against Everton. Joining him on the injury list were new signing Younes Kaboul and defender Michael Dawson.

But Jol couldn't have wished for a better start as Malbranque put his team ahead after just 75 seconds.

Wayne Routledge won a free-kick in midfield and with the defence prepared for a cross Jenas instead rolled the ball to Malbranque. The former Fulham man took one touch before lashing home a fierce shot into the bottom-corner from 20-yards out.

Things got even better for Spurs in the sixth minute when Malbranque grabbed his second goal to make it 2-0.

Pascal Chimbonda raced down the right-wing before releasing Bent on the corner of the penalty area. The 16.5million pounds striker hit a dangerous ball across the goal which the winger cooly side-footed past keeper Stephen Bywater and into the far corner.

The afternoon threatened to get embarrassing for the Rams in the 16th minute when Jenas scored a third for the home team.

The England midfielder tackled Stephen Pearson in the centre-circle before surging past defender Jay McEveley. With the goal at his mercy, Jenas scuffed a weak shot which deceived Bywater before bouncing in off the left-hand post.

Keane had an excellent opportunity to open his account after neat play between Malbranque and Bent left him 10-yards out with a clear sight at goal but unfortunately for the Irishman he mis-hit his shot.

Jenas was the next to go close for Spurs when his curling 25-yard shot went narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

The Lilywhites continued to pour forward and had chances to make it 4-0 through Malbranque and Keane twice whilst Bent had a confident appeal for a penalty turned down by referee Chris Foy.

With the visitors lacking any attacking cohesion and Spurs reluctant to take any risks the second-half started slowly and it wasn't until the 70th minute that either keeper had to make a save, Bywater comfortably collecting Keane's shot.

Spurs counterpart Paul Robinson had to wait until the 73rd minute for his first meaningful save. County substitute Gary Teale claimed possession of the ball on the right-wing before cutting inside and thumping a powerful shot which the former Leeds man parried away.

Bent provided the icing on the cake for Jol in the 80th minute by making it 4-0 and scoring his first goal since his big-money move from Charlton.

Chimbonda rose to head a cross goalwards only to see Bywater tip his effort against the crossbar. A melee of players competed for the dropping ball, with the England striker winning out to open his season's account with a simple header.