Tottenham's attacking policy pays off with last-gasp winner

LONDON - MARTIN Jol will stay true to Tottenham's attacking traditions, after his side's cavalier approach clinched a dramatic win at Everton.

Spurs tasted success in the English Premiership for the first time since Boxing Day, as Jermaine Jenas' last-minute goal gave them a 2-1 victory on Wednesday.

The Goodison Park triumph was just Tottenham's second away win in the league this season.

A streak of six league games without a win and a League Cup semi-final exit against Arsenal had put Jol under pressure.

This win, coming just four days after an FA Cup fifth-round success at Fulham, lifted the gloom around White Hart Lane.

Jol believes Jenas, Aaron Lennon, Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane need to be let off the leash, if Tottenham are to enjoy a successful end to the season.

The London club have a long-standing reputation for attacking football.

Jol said: 'In the first half, we were excellent. We took control of the game.

'It was not quite the same after the break. But they only worried us with the long ball and long throws.

'We decided to go for it, to put on attacking players. I was very pleased that it was us, the away side, going for the victory in those closing stages.'

Berbatov gave Tottenham the lead in the 35th minute.

Mikel Arteta equalised with a free kick given by referee Uriah Rennie, even though the assistant referee had signalled for a free kick to Spurs. Jenas then snatched the points for the London side.

Everton manager David Moyes came in for some criticism at full-time, as angry fans vented their frustrations over his substitutions.

The Goodison faithful felt he was wrong to take off Portuguese midfielder Manuel Fernandes. Jenas' late strike only confirmed their fears.

But Moyes defended his decision.

He said: 'Sometimes, you make decisions that work, sometimes, they don't.

'We felt we had to take off Manuel Fernandes towards the end, even though he had been a threat, because he was tiring.

'We also took off striker Victor Anichebe at the break, and sent on Gary Naysmith in midfield because we had been outplayed in that first half.

'We had to take a brave decision and, in many ways, it worked. We were the better side after the break and created chances. It was a real blow to lose it like that.

'I understand the fans' frustrations. No one is more frustrated than me.

'But I felt we were more likely to win it in the closing minutes than them.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE