Jacques Santini achieved his first victory as Tottenham manager when a goal from new signing Thimothee Atouba earned them a 1-0 win at Newcastle United.
There was evidence here that the former France coach's hectic summer in the transfer market may pay dividends because several of his new signings played important roles in this success.
They caused problems for Newcastle's defence, particularly after the interval, but Santini will also have been pleased by the way they defended as Newcastle exerted intense pressure in the first-half.
It looked so promising for Newcastle at first, but this result was the last thing they needed after a week that had tested the patience of their manager, Sir Bobby Robson, and supporters who have been waiting 36 years to see the club win a major trophy.
Kieron Dyer's refusal to play on the right wing at Middlesbrough last week brought a hostile reception from the Tyneside public and, eventually, an apology from the England international. Then Robson was as surprised as any of the supporters when his chairman Freddy Shepherd agreed to Real Madrid's bid for defender Jonathan Woodgate, arguably their best player.
Robson insisted in the wake of Woodgate's departure that he still possessed his strongest-ever squad and their form, particularly in the first-half, backed up his words.
Tottenham, who started their season with a draw against Liverpool at White Hart Lane, featured six of the players signed by their new manager and a 17-year-old, Phil Ifil, as the replacement for Stephen Carr, who was in the Newcastle line-up.
Ifil had impressed Santini against Liverpool, but had clearly been identified by Newcastle as a player to be tested by the pace of Craig Bellamy, who was at the heart of their encouraging start.
Ifil was not alone in his discomfort. Ledley King, the England international, was embarrassed by the speed of Bellamy in the second minute before keeper Paul Robinson turned the Welsh striker's shot round the post.
Jermaine Jenas was also inches away from an 11th minute goal when he went clear, but - confronted by Robinson - directed his shot narrowly wide.
Tottenham, struggling to make an impact in midfield at this stage, responded in the 24th minute when Carr's weak header gave Thimothee Atouba an opportunity which the Cameroon international wasted with a shot high over the bar.
It was a rare hiatus in Newcastle's authority and only the brilliance of Robinson prevented them taking the lead when he turned over a fierce 26th minute volley from James Milner, his team-mate at Leeds United last season.
Spurs survived again in the 33rd minute when Jenas, imposing himself on the game as he rarely did last season, won the ball in the air, but his header hit Bellamy on the line before it was cleared by Ifil.
It had been a one-sided half in Newcastle's favour, but they could not maintain their momentum at the start of the second half and went behind within six minutes. Atouba, signed from Basel in the summer, has wasted several earlier openings, but produced a sublime finish with his right-foot to curl the ball round Given from the edge of the area.
The mood of the crowd suddenly altered and Newcastle found themselves under pressure which almost produced another goal for Tottenham when Defoe's 62nd minute shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Given.
When Newcastle finally rediscovered their rhythm, Robert provided the main threat and his 64th minute shot required a fine save from Robinson to keep Spurs ahead.
The visitors still appeared capable of extending their lead, though, and only another good save from the diving Given kept out Ledley King's header in the 72nd minute.
Robson made a triple substitution in the 77th minutes, sending on Patrick Kluivert, Dyer and Shola Ameobi, but Tottenham held on to take all three points.
Filed by James Boylan
