Premiership: Gregory delighted to start with a win

John Gregory made his bow as Derby manager today, knowing victory was vital in his side’s battle to beat the drop.

The former Aston Villa boss faces a daunting task as they went into the match six points adrift of safety with only 14 games left.

One of Gregory’s first tasks was to sign Warren Barton from Newcastle and the 32-year-old full-back went straight into starting line-up.

Striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, with 10 goals to his credit this season, retained the captain’s armband.

Tottenham were looking to get back on track after losing at home to Newcastle in midweek and have won only one of their last seven Barclaycard Premiership games.

They were again without Les Ferdinand, who has a neck injury, while Darren Anderton had to settle for a place on the bench.

Gregory saw his side make a positive start and Luciano Zavango tried to release Malcolm Christie after just two minutes.

However goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was alert to the danger and steered the ball to safety.

Tottenham’s Tim Sherwood picked up the first booking of the game after five minutes for a challenge on Zavango.

Derby pushed forward again and Christie picked out Simo Valakari but his shot did not trouble Sullivan.

The Scotland shot-stopper then had to look lively to gather Christie’s effort at the second attempt with Ravanelli on hand for any slip-up.

Tottenham carved out their first attack in the 15th minute when Gustavo Poyet squared the ball to Teddy Sheringham. However his finish was wasteful.

Argentinian defender Zavango was seeing plenty of the ball down the left and delivered a good cross into the area. Christie peeled away from his marker but his header carried little power and Sullivan was not troubled.

Gregory decided to take a closer look at the team he had inherited and moved out of dug out and into the technical area.

Tottenham were finding it difficult to get their game together but broke out of defence quickly after 30 minutes.

Sherwood found Stefan Iversen on the right but Mauricio Taricco’s header from his cross was poor.

Oyvind Leonhardsen found himself in a similar situation a few minutes later when Taricco created the chance. Again the chance was wasted.

Tottenham had stepped up the pace and Sheringham sent a header just over the top following a free kick from Poyet.

Derby then made the breakthrough a minute before the break in controversial circumstances.

Ravanelli’s cross was missed by Darryl Powell but it ran to Morris who took an age before delivering a shot.

Sullivan got a hand to it but couldn’t prevent it trickling over the line. Dean Richards led the Spurs protests and remonstrated with Uriah Rennie at half-time but the ball had crossed the line.

Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle made a switch at half-time, bringing on Matthew Etherington for Taricco.

Derby went looking for a second goal right at the start of the second half. Christie, whose pace was causing Tottenham problems, found space in the penalty area but was a bit too ambitious and his bicycle kick went wide of the target.

Derby had grown in confidence since Morris’ goal and Ravanelli raced clear in the penalty area, only to lose his footing.

England international Anderton was finally brought on after 63 minutes when he replaced Simon Davies.

Derby continued to press forward with Chris Riggott joining the attack and colliding with Steffen Iversen.

The Tottenham defender looked dazed after the aerial clash but shrugged off the blow and carried on.

Certainly his side looked in need of motivation as the game entered a crucial stage.

Anderton swung in a corner after 70 minutes but Poyet was crowded out as he tried to make contact.

Derby were starting to look nervous at the back and Gregory was anxiously pacing the touchline.

Christie broke away and tried to pick out Ravanelli but the ball was scrambled away.

Tottenham threw men forward in a desperate attempt to get something out of the match but have now won only once in eight league games.