Spurs secure first win of season

LONDON, England -- Tottenham Hotspur put their stuttering start to the season behind them and eased the pressure on manager Martin Jol with a 4-0 rout of promoted Derby County in the Premier League on Saturday.

Tottenham were home and dry inside the first 15 minutes as two goals from Steed Malbranque and one from Jermaine Jenas killed off Derby's challenge.

New signing Darren Bent put the icing on the cake for Jol by scoring his first goal for Tottenham in the second half.

"Of course it's a relief," Jol told Sky Sports News. "It was a must-win game which is why I am very happy with the performance of the players."

Everton, who had condemned Tottenham to a second straight defeat in midweek, came down to earth with a 1-0 defeat at Reading.

Stephen Hunt scored Reading's winner just before halftime and Everton, who had won their opening two matches to top the table, could find no way back after the break despite incessant pressure in the closing stages at the Madejski Stadium.

Wigan Athletic joined Everton on six points with a 3-0 defeat of Roy Keane's Sunderland as Emile Heskey's first-half volley and penalties after the break from Danny Landzaat and Antoine Sibierski inflicted a first defeat on the promoted visitors.

Portsmouth's impressive start continued with a 3-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers who are still searching for their first point under new manager Sammy Lee.

An in-form Nicolas Anelka gave Bolton an early lead but Kanu quickly equalized and then sent John Utaka clear to race half the length of the pitch and make it 2-1 before halftime.

Matt Taylor scored with a late penalty to seal Portsmouth's first victory of the campaign after two draws.

Middlesbrough and West Ham United secured their first victories of the campaign, winning away at Fulham and Birmingham City respectively.

Big-spending West Ham won at Birmingham City thanks to a Mark Noble penalty while Egyptian striker Mido scored on his debut as Boro came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1.

The match at Craven Cottage ended controversially, however, as Fulham appeared to have a late equaliszr harshly ruled out when the ball was adjudged not to have crossed the line.

Fulham also lost Brian McBride who dislocated his knee while putting his side ahead in the first half.

In Saturday's late game, Newcastle were held to a goalless draw at St James' Park by Aston Villa.

England striker Michael Owen played for 27 minutes as a second half substitute for Newcastle but could not break the deadlock.

Champions Manchester United play Manchester City on Sunday when Chelsea also travel to Liverpool. E-mail to a friend