Braulio brilliance sinks Spurs and Jol

Braulio's clever finish 20 minutes from time gave Getafe CF the perfect start to UEFA Cup Group G in an entertaining game at Tottenham Hotspur FC, whose manager Martin Jol stepped down after the game.

Quick response
After a breathless opening spell, Jermain Defoe headed Tottenham ahead but within two minutes Rubén de la Red's adroit flick levelled the scores. Both teams had their chances, but it was Braulio who had the last word for the European debutants against the two-time UEFA Cup winners.

Defoe opener
The start was delayed by 15 minutes due to traffic congestion, but once kick-off arrived neither team showed signs of rustiness. Braulio was early on by Radek Černý, continuing in the Spurs goal for the injured Paul Robinson, and Esteban Granero shot just over for the visitors. But it was Tottenham who struck first, Pascal Chimbonda's cross from the right headed back by Dimitar Berbatov and nodded in by the leaping Defoe.

Equaliser
Getafe wasted no time in responding. Granero took a free-kick from the left which was met by the slightest of touches by De la Red, enough to divert the ball past Černý. Tottenham responded and Berbatov then had a neat finish ruled out for offside, but although the home team had the better of the rest of the half they could not restore their lead and lost defender Anthony Gardner to an ankle injury just before the break.

Clever winner
Rumours swept White Hart Lane at half-time that Jol's reign was over, but the home fans and players continued to put in their all, Berbatov heading wide from close range and Defoe shooting over. But Getafe always looked dangerous and when David Cortés whipped in a cross from the right, Braulio's clever back-heel bamboozled Černý. Tom Huddlestone hit the woodwork as Spurs pushed hard, but Getafe held on. Tottenham go to Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC in a fortnight, but with a different manager.