HOWZAT

Modric worked equally well with Darren Bent, who replaced Pavlyuchenko as a 66th-minute substitute, and could have set the striker up within three minutes of his arrival, his final shot skimming the top of Jaaskelainen’s head, just enough for a corner. No such luck followed in the 76th minute when a Modric shot was saved, only for Jaaskelainen clumsily to send Bent tumbling while scrambling for the loose ball. Megson did not agree with that decision either, but Bent converted the penalty low to the left.

After the game, Redknapp summed up Tottenham’s predicament perfectly. “I hadn’t got time to have a look at it all,” he said. “I had to get cracking straight away. When you’ve got two points from eight games, you’re in trouble.” A look at the league table will reveal that the perilous aspect of Tottenham’s season is still a feature, particularly with matches against Arsenal and Liverpool up next. There is, however, a sense of change about the place, perhaps even optimism.

Is there really something about Harry? After this, who could deny it?

Spurs (4-4-1-1): H Gomes 5 A Hutton 6 V Corluka 6 L King 7 B Assou-Ekotto 7 D Bentley 7 T Huddlestone 7 J Jenas 7 J O’Hara 7 L Modric 8 R Pavlyuchenko 7 Substitutes D Bent 7 (for Pavlyuchenko, 66min), A Lennon 7 (for O’Hara, 70). Not used C Sánchez, D Zokora, C Gunter, Giovani, F Campbell. Next: Arsenal (a)

Times Archive, 1984: Redknapp plots United's downfall

Harry Redknapp had planned the biggest triumph not only of his career, but also in Bournemouth's 85-year history

• Times Archive: Sport

Redknapp launches grand plan

Harry Redknapp's White Hart Lane revolution produces instant results with overdue first league victory over Bolton

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Multimedia

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Bolton (4-1-4-1): J Jaaskelainen 5 G Steinsson 6 G Cahill 6 A O’Brien 6 J Samuel 5 G McCann 5 K Davies 5 K Nolan 5 F Muamba 5 M Taylor 6 J Elmander 6 Substitutes R Gardner (for Muamba, 84min), M Riga (for Elmander, 84). Not used A Al-Habsi, N Hunt, E Smolarek, H Helguson, D Shittu. Next: Everton (h)

Referee: A Marriner Attendance: 35,507

Untimely dismissals

Jacques Santini Nov 5 2004 Resigned barely three months into the campaign, citing “personal reasons”. The Frenchman left the night before the team were due to play against Charlton Athletic

Martin Jol Oct 26 2007 Preparing his team to play Getafe, while the club were preparing his departure. News broke during the match that he was to be dismissed immediately after the Uefa Cup game, which they lost.

Juande Ramos Oct 25 2008 Dismissed at 11.30pm on Saturday, hours before yesterday’s match against Bolton Wanderers, on the back of the club’s worst start to a season.