Farfan's Firepower Delivers Reality Check to Scuff Shine Off Spurs' Silver Lining

Tottenham Hotspur paraded the Carling Cup before kick-off last night but, already, their first silverware in nine years is proving something of a distraction. Their hopes of following up that triumph with a third success in this competition were severely damaged here by a cannily organized PSV Eindhoven; Juande Ramos may have to relinquish his hold on this trophy.

The Spaniard cut a livid figure on the touchline as his side, lackluster at first then stretched horribly by the Dutch, labored in defeat. Jefferson Farfan established the visitors' lead and Spurs can be grateful that Paul Robinson, diving full-length to his right, denied the Peruvian what would surely have been a critical second near the end. The hosts were limp in comparison, rudderless and uninspired. They are not out of the tie just yet, but drastic improvements will be required in Holland if they are to force passage into the next phase.

If the sight of Chris Gunter and Gareth Bale strutting around the perimeter of the pitch brandishing the ribboned silverware from Wembley had whipped the home support into a giddy pre-match frenzy, then the football had swiftly provided an unwelcome reality check.

Spurs have endured uncomfortable moments on their Uefa Cup run already this term, not least in losing to Getafe here in what proved to be Martin Jol's last match in charge, but this was their first real test. PSV are well clear at the top of the Eredivisie and, a year ago, eliminated Arsenal from the Champions League.

Their participation in that competition had not extended beyond the group stage this time, but they boast pedigree. Sef Vergoossen, in caretaker charge since January, has been criticized in the Netherlands for a somewhat stingy approach, but the knock-out phase of European competition is made for stifling performances such as these. PSV harried and hustled, Timmy Simons knocking Spurs' midfield off their stride, and chiseled the tie's opening goal as frustration gripped the hosts.

The concession was nightmarish for Tottenham's debutant. Gilberto da Silva Melo had cost some £2m from Hertha Berlin during the transfer window only to be restricted to the sidelines by a calf complaint. He was clearly not in the right frame of mind for this first outing. The Brazilian had already been booked for wrestling Jefferson Farfan to the turf when, just after the half-hour, he dawdled in possession and was robbed smartly by the Peruvian. Farfan reached the edge of the area, the 31-year-old full-back left aghast in his wake, before lashing a stunning shot beyond the exposed goalkeeper, Paul Robinson.

The visitors merited their advantage, even if the goal at least served to jolt Spurs from their slumbers. Steed Malbranque twice forced Gomes in the Eindhoven goal to save, while Jonathan Woodgate glanced a header wide from Jermaine Jenas' cross as the home side belatedly found rhythm and accuracy with their passing. When the hosts went more direct, Robbie Keane collected Robinson's punt, held off Carlos Salcido but saw Gomes conjure a wonderful save to turn his shot round the post.

Encouragement of some kind had been desperately needed - Gilberto's half-time substitution offered both team and player a respite - though Ramos, who had stressed this was "about getting back to business" after the thrashing at Birmingham City at the weekend, was still muttering discontentedly to himself as he re-emerged for the second period. A prolonged period of PSV possession, their tempo so upbeat as to leave Tottenham gasping, could have done little to improve his mood with Ibrahim Afellay slicing wide after Farfan had sprinted down field and tormented the Spurs captain, Ledley King.

The center-half has enjoyed more comfortable evenings than this with the Dutch cutting deep into Spurs on the break whenever they over-committed upfield. Farfan has interested Premier League clubs in the past, most notably Portsmouth, and his pace would make him an attractive signing. He will be a threat at the Philips stadium next week, too, though whether Spurs have Jenas fit for that second leg remains to be seen. The England midfielder tripped over Edison Mendez, landing awkwardly, and was stretchered from the pitch with this contest apparently drifting away from the hosts.