SOCCER/Tottenham 0 PSV Eindhoven 1:TOTTENHAM Hotspur paraded the League Cup before kick-off last night, but, already, their first silverware in nine years is proving something of a distraction.
Their hopes of following up that triumph with a third success in this competition were severely damaged here by a cannily organised PSV Eindhoven; Juande Ramos may have to relinquish his hold on this trophy.
The Spaniard cut a livid figure on the touchline as his side, lacklustre at first then stretched horribly by the Dutch, laboured in defeat.
Jefferson Farfan established the visitors' lead and Spurs can be grateful that Paul Robinson, diving full-length to his right, denied the Peruvian what would surely have been a critical second near the end.
The hosts were limp in comparison, rudderless and uninspired. They are not out of the tie just yet, but drastic improvements will be required in Holland if they are to force passage into the next phase.
If the sight of Chris Gunter and Gareth Bale strutting around the perimeter of the pitch brandishing the ribboned silverware from Wembley had whipped the home support into a giddy pre-match frenzy, then the football had swiftly provided an unwelcome reality check.
Spurs have endured uncomfortable moments on their Uefa Cup run already this term, not least in losing to Getafe here in what proved to be Martin Jol's last match in charge, but this was their first real test. PSV are well clear at the top of the Eredivisie and, a year ago, eliminated Arsenal from the Champions League.
Their participation in that competition had not extended beyond the group stage this time, but they boast pedigree. PSV harried and hustled, Timmy Simons knocking Spurs' midfield off their stride, and chiselled the tie's opening goal as frustration gripped the hosts.
The concession was nightmarish for Tottenham's debutant, Gilberto da Silva Melo. The Brazilian had already been booked for wrestling Jefferson Farfan to the turf when, just after the half-hour, he dawdled in possession and was robbed smartly by the Peruvian. Farfan reached the edge of the area before lashing a stunning shot beyond the exposed goalkeeper, Paul Robinson.
Steed Malbranque twice forced Gomes in the Eindhoven goal to save, while Jonathan Woodgate glanced a header wide from Jermaine Jenas' cross as the home side belatedly found rhythm and accuracy with their passing.
When the hosts went more direct, Robbie Keane collected Robinson's punt, held off Carlos Salcido but saw Gomes conjure a wonderful save to turn his shot round the post.
A prolonged period of PSV possession in the second period, their tempo so upbeat as to leave Tottenham gasping, could have done little to improve the mood with Ibrahim Afellay slicing wide after Farfan had sprinted downfield and tormented the Spurs captain, Ledley King.
Farfan's pace will be a threat at the Philips stadium next week, though whether Spurs have Jenas fit for that second leg remains to be seen after he was stretchered from the pitch with this contest apparently drifting away from the hosts.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR: Robinson; Chimbonda, Woodgate, King (Taarabe, 74), Gilberto (O'Hara, h-t); Lennon, Zokora, Jenas (Huddlestone, 65), Malbranque; Berbatov, Keane. Subs not used: Cerny, Lee, Tainio, Dawson.
PSV EINDHOVEN: Gomes; Kromkamp, Marcellis, Salcido, Alcides; Simons; Farfan (Dzsudzsak, 85), Mendez, Culina, Afellay; Koevermans (Lazovic, 78). Subs not used: Roorda, Zonneveld, Rajkovic, Aissati, Bakkal.
Referee: S Lannoy (France).
