TOTTENHAM opened their defence of the Carling Cup with a welcome 2-1 win over managerless Newcastle United at St James Park on Wednesday night, writes Patrick Mooney. Spurs, bottom of the Premier League and without a win after five games, failed to troub

TOTTENHAM opened their defence of the Carling Cup with a welcome 2-1 win over managerless Newcastle United at St James' Park on Wednesday night, writes Patrick Mooney.

Spurs, bottom of the Premier League and without a win after five games, failed to trouble home keeper Shay Given in a sterile first 45 minutes.

But the Lilywhites produced a much-improved display after the break and scored both goals in a five-minute period.

The opener was headed home in the 62nd minute by new Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko - his first for the club - from Aaron Lennon's pinpoint cross.

Newcastle gifted Spurs their second goal four minutes later when Steven Taylor was dispossessed by Jamie O'Hara in front of his own penalty area and the midfielder kept his cool to clinically slip the ball past Given.

Yet, Spurs almost fell behind just after the break when Damien Duff's goal-bound shot was cleared off the line by Jonathan Woodgate.

The Magpies set up a nerve-tingling finale when Michael Owen pulled a goal back in the 90th minute. But Spurs survived the three minutes of stoppage time to book their place in tomorrow's fourth round draw.