Redknapp sends on Bent to spark life into Spurs

SOCCER ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP QUARTER FINALS:  Watford 1 Tottenham 2HARRY REDKNAPP had made it clear where the League Cup lay in Tottenham Hotspur's priorities. Never mind that they won the competition last February, it was a long way behind the serious business of Premier League points, after the club's underachievements earlier in the season.

Yet when the first whistle sounded here last night, Redknapp could not curb his competitive impulse. He raged when Roman Pavlyuchenko hit the bar late in the first half and endured moments of frustration against a Watford team keen to put the turmoil behind the scenes temporarily behind them. They were also determined to impress manager Brendan Rodgers, newly arrived from Chelsea. But the night ended well for Redknapp as the substitute Darren Bent supplemented Pavlyuchenko's equaliser from the penalty spot.

Rodgers had remarked before the game he could not remember the last time he felt like an "underdog," while he underlined his new team had "nothing to lose". The chairman Graham Simpson's resignation minutes before the extraordinary general meeting on Monday has rocked the club and the uncertainty will persist until the agm in two weeks' time.

Watford were straight into their rhythm and their opening goal was fully deserved. Tommy Smith darted to the by-line and pulled back low for Tamas Priskin. The Hungarian, who had bought himself a yard from Jonathan Woodgate and Jermaine Jenas, threw his markers with a turn and buried a shot into the corner, beyond Heurelho Gomes.

Tottenham responded well, although they were guilty of plenty of profligacy. Aaron Lennon's first effort was a curler from the right hand side of the area, which forced Scott Loach to show his agility and the second saw him tear clean through only to find the goalkeeper standing tall. When the ball looped up and headed goalward, Fraizer Campbell was crowded out by Leigh Bromby.

Jenas forced Loach into another save and when Pavlyuchenko hit the crossbar when clean through, it appeared Watford would reach the interval in front. That hope turned to dust, though, when the promising 18-year-old Ross Jenkins lunged at Jenas inside the area. There was contact and Pavlyuchenko fired home the penalty.

Watford might have gone back in front had Michael Dawson not thrown himself bravely in front of Jenkins's shot. Tottenham lapsed into torpor and Redknapp introduced his top scorer Bent from the bench for Campbell. The move paid dividends as Bent's first meaningful involvement moved Tottenham into the lead. Lennon combined with Pavlyuchenko and the ball arrived at Bent's feet. His low shot to the right embarrassed Loach at his near post.

• Guardian Service

WATFORD:Loach, Mariappa, DeMerit (Doyley 58), Bromby, Jenkins (O'Toole 78), Harley, Williamson, McAnuff (Hoskins 83), Bridcutt, Smith, Priskin. Subs not used:Lee, Robinson, Bangura, Henderson. Booked:McAnuff, Priskin.

TOTTENHAM:Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Zokora, Lennon, Jenas, O'Hara, Pavlyuchenko, Campbell (Bent 65). Subs not used:Cesar, Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Gunter, Boateng. Booked:Assou-Ekotto.

Referee:Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).