Spurs finally kick into gear

Premier League Review:Martin Jol's Tottenham shrugged off their pedestrian start to the Premier League season to register a handsome 4-0 win over Derby at White Hart Lane.

Some lavish summer spending had increased expectations amongst Spurs fans but two defeats from their opening two fixtures had seen pressure mount on manager Jol.

But they were soon in the groove as Jermaine Jenas rolled a free-kick to French midfielder Steed Malbranque, who lined up his shot and rifled the ball beyond Stephen Bywater with less than two minutes on the clock.

Then, just three minutes later, Darren Bent was given too much room in the box before Malbranque took the pass and curled a right-footed effort into the corner.

Jenas then made it three with a driving run through the middle of a stuttering Derby defence, before some neat footwork gave him room to clip the ball in off the post.

Bent then compounded the Rams' misery after 80 minutes, collecting his first goal for the club since his £16million transfer with a simple header.

Everton started the day at the top of the Premier League table but lacked their usual spark as they went down 1-0 to Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Two minutes from the interval, Ulises De la Cruz launched a long throw into the Everton box before Stephen Hunt powered his way through to collect the ball and slide his shot beyond goalkeeper Tim Howard to move into the lead.

It was enough to see off the Toffees, who struck the woodwork twice late on through James McFadden and Andy Johnson.

At Craven Cottage, Fulham were denied what looked to be a legitimate injury-time equaliser after a second clanger in a week from Fulham goalkeeper Tony Warner helped Middlesbrough snatch a 2-1 victory.

Warner, who gifted Bolton's Heidar Helguson a goal in midweek, was again to blame as Boro equalised through debutant Mido.

The Egyptian striker unleashed a tame shot from distance but Warner somehow contrived to turn the ball into his own net to draw the sides level.

Earlier, Brian McBride was taken to hospital after injuring his knee as he put the Cottagers in the lead.

The American forward crumpled in pain after hurting himself in the process of burying the ball following fine approach play from Alexey Smertin.

Lee Cattermole won it four minutes from time when he slotted in Jeremie Aliadiere's cross but when David Healy prodded the ball from point-blank range, Mark Schwarzer appeared to carry the ball over the line.

But the Northern Ireland striker saw his effort chalked off by the officials.

Chris Hutchings' Wigan, meanwhile, continued to defy expectations with a 3-0 win over Sunderland that - temporarily at least - put them top of the table.

Emile Heskey, who missed out on an England recall this week, continued his impressive form, slotting home in the 19th minute before two second-half penalties put an impressive gloss on the result.

Heskey converted from close range after Antonio Valencia's cross had taken a deflection on its way across goal before Jason Koumas had a penalty appeal turned down.

But Mike Riley did award Wigan a spot-kick after an hour's play following a Danny Collins foul on Antoine Sibierski.

Denny Landzaat stroked the ball home comfortably to make it 2-0 before the in-form Sibierski netted for the third straight game, converting from the spot after a Russell Anderson foul on Heskey.

West Ham's Mark Noble was also on target with a penalty, drilling home to secure a 1-0 win against Birmingham, who had goalkeeper Colin Doyle to blame for hauling Craig Bellamy down in the box.

Noble went close to breaking the deadlock in the first half when he crashed a 30-yard free-kick against the woodwork after a handball from Radhi Jaidi.

Earlier in the day, a patched-up Portsmouth side ran out 3-1 winners against Bolton, whose manager Sammy Lee has now overseen three outings without a point.

Kanu and John Utaka put Pompey ahead after Nicolas Anelka had given Wanderers a surprise lead before a late Matt Taylor penalty sealed the points for the Fratton Park side.