Spurs's sparkle gives Jol a lift

The Dutch coach was tipped to be the first to fall after a disastrous Premier League start for Spurs.

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But, even though that dubious honour has gone to Jose Mourinho, Jol is unlikely to be sleeping soundly despite this comfortable win.

A more accurate measure of Jol's chances of avoiding the sack will come when Spurs travel to fellow strugglers Bolton on Sunday.

That is, perhaps, why he has already consulted the League Managers' Association for legal advice.

Jol, however, had been looking forward to a UEFA Cup-tie against the unfancied Cypriots as a welcome distraction from the league. Progression to the group stages of last season's UEFA Cup had a beneficial effect on Spurs' form.

The 2-0 aggregate victory of Slavia Prague was followed by Jol's side recovering well from an awful start to the league campaign — four points from their first six games — the same as this season.

Having enjoyed the experience of European competition after a seven-year absence last year, Tottenham proceeded to go on a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Although Jol had used his pre-match press conference to insist the stakes were too high for wholesale changes, a lastminute U-turn led to five new faces from the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.

Such was the level of Jol's confidence that Dimitar Berbatov, Paul Robinson and Jermaine Jenas were left on the bench.

Aaron Lennon was handed his first start of the season but Jol could still not find a starting place for contract-rebel Jermain Defoe.

But it was two of his regular starters who combined to give Tottenham the perfect start.

Tom Huddlestone's corner was met by the head of Younes Kaboul at the near post to give them the lead in five minutes.

Moments later Spurs were denied a penalty after Lambros Lambrou's clumsy challenge on Darren Bent.

With the Cypriots failing to trouble stand-in keeper Radek Cerny, Spurs were perhaps guilty of not making the most of their superiority, although Robbie Keane did manage to force a save from Arian Beqaj with a shot from close range.

Lennon then showed he is not just all about pace, playing a cute reverse ball to Keane whose cross just evaded the outstretched boot of Bent.

With the visitors putting almost everybody behind the ball, Spurs found it increasingly difficult to found a route through as the half wore on.

But their persistence paid in a devastating three-minute spell before the break.

First Keane's corner was headed down by Pascal Chimbonda for Michael Dawson to poke the ball home.

Then Keane, unmarked, got in on the act, smashing home Benoit Assou-Ekotto's pass.

Bent completed the three-goal salvo when Lambrou fluffed his hooked clearance allowing the England striker to bear down on goal and finish from close range with the Famagusta keeper in no-man's land.

With the second half a damage limitation exercise for Famagusta, Tottenham eased back, perhaps with an eye on the serious business in Bolton.

But with a point to prove to his manager, Defoe, on for Bent, ensured further misery for the visitors with a delicious lob from the edge of the box.

Anton Zlogar grabbed a consolation for Famagusta before Defoe secured the best goal of the night, a 25-yard screamer in added time — another reminder of his current form.