Reading 1-3 Tottenham
Last updated on .From the section Football
Andre Villas-Boas secured his first victory as Tottenham manager as Premier League newcomers Reading were outclassed at the Madejski Stadium.
The Portuguese has already faced questions about his future after only three games in charge - but this powerful performance and convincing win provided an emphatic response.
Jermain Defoe gave Spurs an early lead and such was the scale of their domination that Villas-Boas might have been frustrated it took until the 71st minute for Gareth Bale to double their advantage.
Defoe then concluded a 50-yard run with a powerful angled finish as Reading - overrun throughout - faded badly, even though Hal Robson-Kanu pulled a goal back in stoppage time.
It was a display that will have given Villas-Boas great heart, with Mousa Dembele and Sandro providing power and fluidity in midfield alongside another newcomer, former Reading man Gylfi Sigurdsson.
And in Defoe they have a poacher in prime form, aided by the pace and width of Bale and Aaron Lennon.
For Reading, understandably rusty after 25 days without a game, this was a chastening lesson in what will be required to survive in the top tier, although they met a Spurs team in no mood for anything other than victory after their indifferent start to the season.
Villas-Boas made good on his promise to keep faith with keeper Brad Friedel in preference to new signing Hugo Lloris - but the decision was an irrelevance throughout a first half totally controlled by the visitors.
In contrast, Reading keeper Alex McCarthy, in for the injured Adam Federici, was swiftly employed as he made a smart save from Sigurdsson's header and Jan Vertonghen's powerful follow-up.
Spurs were a constant threat and it was no surprise when they took the lead after 18 minutes. Sigurdsson's precise pass opened up space for Lennon to cross and Defoe to finish with typical efficiency.
The hosts looked overawed and elementary errors did not help their cause. Defoe stole the ball off keeper McCarthy as he dawdled in the area and it needed a rescuing block on the line from Alex Pearce to stop Sigurdsson adding a second.
Then Ian Harte, who had struggled to contain the pace of Lennon, carelessly presented possession to Defoe but Spurs were unable to benefit and the Royals escaped again.
Reading adopted a more attacking approach at the start of the second half with Adam Le Fondre on for Jem Karacan - but it was still the London side creating the opportunities.
Defoe held his head in anguish as a shot from Dembele struck him in the six-yard area but somehow landed the wrong side of the post with McCarthy wrong-footed.
A second goal looked inevitable and finally came 19 minutes from time when Kyle Walker broke into the area and pulled the ball back for Bale, whose half-hit finish deceived McCarthy.
And with the home side's spirit broken, the third goal followed quickly, Defoe breaking from the halfway line to outpace the defence and send a crisp finish into the far corner to put gloss on a fine Spurs performance that even the concession of Robson-Kanu's goal could not tarnish.
Reading manager Brian McDermott:
"I thought we were too submissive and didn't get on the ball enough or in their faces. I made some changes and we were much better in the second half.
"We came up against a very good side today and they deserved the win.
"We've got to move on very, very quickly. Today was a learning curve for all of us. Spurs is a team full of world-class performers, but we didn't cause enough problems for them, especially in the first half.
"We should have had a penalty in the first half when it was 0-0, and we scored a goal at the end. We can also draw positives from 20 minutes in the second half.
"We have a fantastic bunch of people working here and I know what I will get out of them next Saturday."
Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas:
"I'm extremely happy for [Defoe]. He is such a prolific striker for club and country. It's amazing how he sniffs out goal-scoring opportunities and makes the most of them.
"I know there were questions being raised about him being played up front on his own. On his own or with Emmanuel Adebayor alongside him, I think Jermain can continue to produce these kind of attacking opportunities.
"I'm extremely happy with the performance. The players showed tremendous commitment, responsibility and concentration. They understood that we have been working so hard and they deserved to get this first win."
On perceived criticism from predecessor Harry Redknapp in a Saturday newspaper interview: "In the end it's not about the manager, it's about the players. Different kinds of managers have different leadership styles and the way they go about his business."
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A bit frustrating, but never boring. Nice to see them get a win at last
It's obvious you're a goonie. The goonies beat Southampton yesterday, who are bottom of the table, yet Wenger comes out with the statement that you'll challenge for the title. I don't think so, and neither should you judging by your own criteria. I've read you trolling spurs articles before. You're entitled to your opinion but I think your name must be ironic.
And for the record I am a Liverpool fan.
Some fans are too expectant and impatiant these days. Calls for good managers to get sacked after four games are stupid, especially when you take into account the new style.
It was gutter press rumours about AVB having 3 games to save his job. Why does that make spurs' fans fickle? You've made the most tenuous of connections. They didn't write that crap, but you obviously believed it. You can make it up just like the red tops. Real spurs' fans know the truth and that's all that matters. A very naive comment from you.
So much for the Championship being such a tough division. Both Reading and Southampton look some way out of their depth.
Have you even bothered to watch either play before making this comment? Southampton Unlucky against both the Manchesters, Reading almost got the better of Chelsea. We are only a few games in, they both have the tools to do well and will adapt
What spurs have you actually been talking to ? Are you sure they have said Spurs will win the league ? and yes, Chelsea are a far better side, as are City, but then they should be with that buying power....
No one has called for Liverpool fans to be banned? I think you'll find since the chants from fans about Munich/Hillsborough started there has been calls for fans to be banned from both side. Just because one article targets just United fans, it doesn't mean the media are biased. I think you'll see an article targeting Liverpool fans before the match on Sunday...
I agree ,,,,,, Lex_D is no fan !!! And if I worked for Spurs I wouldn't gob off !!
Emile Heskey pretending to be a striker would be even less realistic.
Birmingham City League Cup Win
17 Minutes ago
@59.
Perhaps you should read the lastest article "Man Utd fans should be banned for Liverpool taunts - Joe Jordan".
Where it clearly mentions LFC fans singing about the Munich disaster. So at least read the latest articles before writing complete drivel.
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how is it drivel when no one calls for liverpool fans to be banned!!! 1 rule
Do you maths fela, top 4 does not make you average..... finishing 4,5,4th makes Spurs along way above average
The tottenham team this season won't do as well as last season i feel, never really understood Tottenham - two steps forward, one step back.
Still as an Arsenal fan i am glad your chairman buys the players and chops and changes the managers, basically gifting Arsenal a top four spot.
Thanks Levy :-)