Spurs maul QPR on Redknapp's return to the Lane

Sport360 staff 18:38 24/08/2014
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  • Icing on the cake: Emmanuel Adebayor (c) celebrates scoring Spurs' fourth goal.

    Nacer Chadli ruined Harry Redknapp's return to White Hart Lane as the Tottenham winger's double inspired a 4-0 rout of woeful QPR.

    QPR boss Redknapp was back at his old club for the first time since his sacking in 2012, but his hopes of avenging that surprise dismissal by chairman Daniel Levy swiftly evaporated as Tottenham ran riot. Inspired by a sublime display from Argentine playmaker Erik Lamela, Spurs surged into a three-goal lead before half-time thanks to a brace from Belgian winger Chadli either side of defender Eric Dier's second goal for his new club.

    Emmanuel Adebayor compounded Redknapp's misery when his strike put the finishing touch to the move of the match in the second half.

    Redknapp had insisted he harboured no grudges about the manner of his exit from the Lane, but that didn't stop him heaping pressure on Tottenham's new manager Mauricio Pochettino this week when he claimed anything less than a top four finish in the Premier League would be a failure.

    On the evidence of this vibrant performance, which extended Tottenham's 100 percent winning start, former Southampton coach Pochettino has every chance of becoming the first Spurs boss since Redknapp to qualify for the Champions League. In stark contrast, a disorganised and passionless effort from QPR suggests Redknapp will have to work overtime if the Championship play-off winners, pointless after two matches, are to avoid relegation.

    Elsewhere, Hull had to try and beat Stoke the hard way after playing most of the match a man down when last man James Chester was sent off in the 14th minute for bringing down Jake Livermore on the edge of the box after being sold short by Jake Livermore's poor back-pass.

    But Hull still took the lead three minutes before half-time when Nikica Jelavic scored form close range after Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic failed to hold a low shot from Tom Huddlestone.

    In a match where both sides were managed by former Manchester United team-mates in Steve Bruce (Hull) and Mark Hughes (Stoke), it seemed the Tigers would hold out for all three points.

    But Stoke equalised six minutes from time when, after Phil Bardsley's hit the inside of the post, defender Ryan Shawcross did just enough to bundle the ball over the line. 

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