Tottenham scored twice in as many minutes as they fought back to beat Queens Park Rangers and record their first home win of the season.

Bobby Zamora gave QPR the lead against his old club during a first half in which Spurs were decidedly lacklustre.

But a formation change brought about an improvement in fortunes as an Alejandro Faurlin own goal levelled matters before Jermain Defoe struck the winner.

The win moves Spurs up to eighth in the Premier League while QPR remain 19th.

Defoe closes on landmark

Jermain Defoe's second-half winner, his fourth goal of the season for Tottenham, was the 199th of his club career.

The home side had gone into the game looking for a second successive victory, having won 3-1 at Reading last time out.

QPR, meanwhile, were without a win in the league so far this season, and things did not start well for Mark Hughes's side as they were forced into making a third-minute change when Jose Bosingwa hobbled off with a hamstring injury.

He was replaced at right-back by Kieron Dyer and the former Newcastle midfielder's introduction had an almost immediate effect.

The 33-year-old earned QPR's first corner of the game, which Esteban Granero whipped into the box. Clint Hill launched himself at the ball, but his powerful header was superbly palmed away by Brad Friedel.

The visitors continued to enjoy the better of the opening stages and Spurs again had Friedel to thank for keeping the scores level when he saved Junior Hoilett's volleyed effort.

Tottenham struggled to make possession count in the final third, failing to manage a single shot on target during the opening exchanges, and it came as little surprise when QPR took the lead 12 minutes before the break.

'Gratifying' win for Villas-Boas

A seventh corner of the half was only partially cleared before Faurlin received the ball just outside the area. He feigned to shoot before slipping the ball through the defence to Zamora, who turned quickly and lifted the ball over Friedel from close range.

Looking to instigate an upturn in form, Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas replaced Gylfi Sigurdsson with Steven Caulker at the start of the second half and changed to a 4-4-2 formation, with Clint Dempsey partnering Defoe in attack.

The switch worked and Spurs finally managed their first shot on target as Dempsey's 30-yard effort was pushed away by Julio Cesar.

Gareth Bale was also becoming increasingly effective and he was instrumental in turning the game on its head as Tottenham scored two goals in quick succession.

The first arrived on the hour as Bale's corner was headed back towards goal by Caulker and Faurlin, unsighted by Defoe, compounded to knock the ball into his own net.

Hughes puzzled by lack of points

Barely 90 seconds later, Tottenham were ahead as a QPR attack broke down and the hosts embarked on a quick counter. The impressive Jan Vertonghen fed a pass to Bale on the left of the area and though his shot cannoned back off the underside of the bar, the ball fell to the unmarked Defoe, who made no mistake.

Suddenly the game was wide open and Hoilett was denied a 72nd-minute equaliser when he was unmarked inside the area but Vertonghen slid in from nowhere to clear.

But as QPR tired Spurs took control and Hill twice denied Defoe to prevent the margin of victory from being greater.

Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas:

"I am extremely happy. The team fought very hard to get this win and the feeling we have at the moment is very gratifying. We have been looking for this for some time and the players put on the performance in the second half to help us get this win.

"They found spaces in our defence in the first half and all credit to them. We couldn't close them down but in the second half the players were really committed to showing more for the ball and we got the 2-1 we deserved.

"We felt we needed to make changes at half time. Gareth Bale played better as a left winger than as a left back and he made a difference for us. The players really, really wanted to win this game for the fans and it was more their will that took us through in the second half."

QPR manager Mark Hughes:

"We are scratching our heads somewhat to understand why we didn't get anything out of the game because the manner of our performance, particularly in the first half was very good.

"We came here and took the game to Tottenham, dominated the first 45 minutes and we were 1-0 to the good. In the second half they had to rejig to get back into the game, we gave them a helping hand with the own goal and then they got the second.

"But overall in terms of level of performance it was at the level I feel we need to be in the Premier League."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Tottenham Hotspur

  • 24 Friedel
  • 05 Vertonghen
  • 13 Gallas
  • 28 Walker
  • 02 Dempsey (Huddlestone - 88' )
  • 07 Lennon (Townsend - 90' )
  • 11 Bale
  • 22 Sigurdsson (Caulker - 46' )
  • 30 Sandro
  • 18 Defoe
  • 19 Dembele

Substitutes

  • 25 Lloris
  • 20 Dawson
  • 33 Caulker
  • 06 Huddlestone
  • 27 Falque
  • 31 Townsend
  • 38 Mason

Queens Park Rangers

  • 33 Julio Cesar
  • 06 Hill
  • 15 Onuoha
  • 17 Nelsen
  • 19 Bosingwa (Dyer - 3' Booked )
  • 07 Park Ji-sung
  • 11 Wright-Phillips (Mackie - 77' )
  • 14 Granero Booked
  • 32 Faurlin
  • 23 Hoilett
  • 25 Zamora (Cisse - 73' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Green
  • 02 Diakite
  • 04 Derry
  • 18 Dyer
  • 28 Ehmer
  • 09 Cisse
  • 12 Mackie
Ref: Dowd
Att: 36,052

Match Stats

Shots

18 9

On target

14 6

Corners

10 9

Fouls

7 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +5:17 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +4:52

Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Soares Julio Cesar makes a save.

59:20 Goal scored

Goal - Alejandro Faurlin - Tottenham 1 - 1 QPR Alejandro Faurlin concedes an own goal. Tottenham 1-1 QPR.

90:00 +2:49 Substitution

Substitution (Tottenham) makes a substitution, with Andros Townsend coming on for Aaron Lennon.

90:00 +2:49

Shot from just outside the box by Esteban Granero misses to the right of the goal.

90:00 +0:30

Aaron Lennon takes a shot. Soares Julio Cesar makes a save. Gareth Bale decides to take a short corner.

89:01

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jamie Mackie on Steven Caulker. Brad Friedel restarts play with the free kick.

86:51

Corner taken left-footed by Gareth Bale.

86:51 Substitution

Substitution (Tottenham) makes a substitution, with Tom Huddlestone coming on for Clint Dempsey.

86:51 Booking

Booking Kieron Dyer shown a yellow card.

86:34

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Blocked by Clint Hill.

83:55

Clint Dempsey takes a shot. Blocked by Ryan Nelsen. Unfair challenge on Esteban Granero by Aaron Lennon results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Esteban Granero.

82:33

Esteban Granero takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Clint Dempsey.

81:32

David Hoilett gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mousa Dembele. Direct free kick taken by Gareth Bale.

80:20

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Soares Julio Cesar makes a save. Inswinging corner taken by Gareth Bale from the right by-line.

78:18

The assistant referee signals for offside against Jamie Mackie. Brad Friedel takes the indirect free kick.

77:22

Foul by Raniere Sandro on Nedum Onuoha, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Nedum Onuoha.

76:13

Kieron Dyer takes the direct free kick.

76:13 Substitution

Substitution Shaun Wright-Phillips goes off and Jamie Mackie comes on.

76:13

Unfair challenge on Kieron Dyer by Jan Vertonghen results in a free kick.

75:02

Esteban Granero concedes a free kick for a foul on Clint Dempsey. Steven Caulker takes the free kick.

74:04

Corner taken by Gareth Bale, Header on goal by Steven Caulker from just inside the area goes over the target.

72:48

Indirect free kick taken by Brad Friedel.

72:48 Substitution

Substitution Djibril Cisse joins the action as a substitute, replacing Bobby Zamora.

72:48

Kieron Dyer is flagged offside by the assistant referee.

70:17

Inswinging corner taken by Gareth Bale. Clint Dempsey takes a shot. Save made by Soares Julio Cesar.

69:05

Clint Dempsey takes a shot. Blocked by Clint Hill.

67:29

A cross is delivered by Jan Vertonghen, Ryan Nelsen manages to make a clearance. Gareth Bale takes a shot. Save by Soares Julio Cesar. Aaron Lennon produces a cross, clearance made by Nedum Onuoha.

65:48

David Hoilett takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.

65:14

Mousa Dembele has an effort at goal from outside the area which misses left.

58:51

Corner from the left by-line taken by Gareth Bale,

60:33

Gareth Bale provided the assist for the goal.

60:33 Goal scored

Goal - Jermain Defoe - Tottenham 2 - 1 QPR Jermain Defoe finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Tottenham 2-1 QPR.

60:32

Gareth Bale takes a shot. Save by Soares Julio Cesar.

59:20

Assist on the goal came from Steven Caulker.

59:20 Goal scored

Goal - Alejandro Faurlin - Tottenham 1 - 1 QPR Alejandro Faurlin concedes an own goal. Tottenham 1-1 QPR.

60:33

Assist on the goal came from Gareth Bale.

58:51

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Gareth Bale,

54:00

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Esteban Granero, Gareth Bale manages to make a clearance.

53:02

Ji-Sung Park takes the direct free kick.

53:02 Booking

Booking The referee cautions Esteban Granero for unsporting behaviour.

52:24

Esteban Granero fouled by Mousa Dembele, the ref awards a free kick.

51:22

Corner taken by Gareth Bale from the right by-line, Steven Caulker takes a shot. Save made by Soares Julio Cesar.

50:39

Clint Dempsey takes a shot. Save made by Soares Julio Cesar.

48:25

David Hoilett takes a shot. Blocked by Steven Caulker.

47:54

Raniere Sandro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Esteban Granero. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Nelsen.

46:03

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Gareth Bale from the left by-line. Esteban Granero fouled by Clint Dempsey, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Soares Julio Cesar.

45:27

Unfair challenge on Gareth Bale by Ji-Sung Park results in a free kick. Gareth Bale restarts play with the free kick.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Steven Caulker is brought on as a substitute for Gylfi Sigurdsson.

45:00 +2:05 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00 +1:37

Gareth Bale fouled by Shaun Wright-Phillips, the ref awards a free kick. Jan Vertonghen restarts play with the free kick.

44:47

Mousa Dembele has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.

43:59

Centre by Gareth Bale, Clint Hill manages to make a clearance. Gylfi Sigurdsson sends in a cross, clearance by Nedum Onuoha.

42:46

Unfair challenge on Gylfi Sigurdsson by Esteban Granero results in a free kick. Kyle Walker takes the free kick.

41:52

Unfair challenge on Ji-Sung Park by Mousa Dembele results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Soares Julio Cesar.

37:14

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mousa Dembele by Esteban Granero. Direct free kick taken by William Gallas.

35:10

David Hoilett takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel.

33:31

The assistant referee flags for offside against Jermain Defoe. Soares Julio Cesar restarts play with the free kick.

32:01

The assist for the goal came from Alejandro Faurlin.

32:01 Goal scored

Goal - Bobby Zamora - Tottenham 0 - 1 QPR Bobby Zamora scores a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Tottenham 0-1 QPR.

31:38

Corner taken right-footed by Esteban Granero from the left by-line, Jan Vertonghen makes a clearance.

31:05

Esteban Granero decides to take the corner short.

30:27

The referee blows for offside against Jermain Defoe. Indirect free kick taken by Soares Julio Cesar.

26:50

Handball by Clint Dempsey. Direct free kick taken by Soares Julio Cesar.

23:13

Corner taken right-footed by Shaun Wright-Phillips from the right by-line, Ryan Nelsen has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.

21:09

The referee blows for offside. Jan Vertonghen restarts play with the free kick.

20:07

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Gareth Bale by Shaun Wright-Phillips. Free kick taken by Gareth Bale.

18:30

Foul by Alejandro Faurlin on Mousa Dembele, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Gareth Bale. Jan Vertonghen takes a shot. Blocked by Alejandro Faurlin.

16:29

Foul by Esteban Granero on Aaron Lennon, free kick awarded. Kyle Walker restarts play with the free kick.

14:49

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Gareth Bale, Kieron Dyer makes a clearance.

13:46

Inswinging corner taken by Esteban Granero from the left by-line.

13:18

David Hoilett takes a shot. Brad Friedel makes a save.

11:36

Centre by Kieron Dyer, clearance by Kyle Walker. Esteban Granero takes the inswinging corner, Jan Vertonghen manages to make a clearance.

11:16

The official flags David Hoilett offside. Kyle Walker takes the indirect free kick.

10:20

Ji-Sung Park concedes a free kick for a foul on Mousa Dembele. Clint Dempsey restarts play with the free kick.

9:06

Shot from outside the box by Jermain Defoe misses to the left of the target.

8:01

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Gareth Bale, Ryan Nelsen manages to make a clearance.

4:01

Corner taken right-footed by Esteban Granero from the right by-line, Clint Hill takes a shot. Save by Brad Friedel. Inswinging corner taken by Esteban Granero, Headed effort from inside the area by Ryan Nelsen misses to the right of the target. Esteban Granero concedes a free kick for a foul on Mousa Dembele. Direct free kick taken by Raniere Sandro.

2:47 Substitution

Substitution Kieron Dyer replaces Jose Bosingwa.

1:42

Jermain Defoe takes a shot. Ryan Nelsen gets a block in.

0:00

The game begins.

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