Ramos starts with a win but Spurs fail to convince

Tottenham's new Manager Juande Ramos gestures during their Carling Cup match against Blackpool at home to Tottenham at White Hart Lane football stadium. Tottenham won 2-0.

Juande Ramos's reign as Tottenham coach started with a win but he was left under no illusions about the size of his task after his new team struggled to beat Blackpool 2-0 in the League Cup on Wednesday.

Robbie Keane's ninth goal of the season and a second-half strike by Pascal Chimbonda were enough for the London team to reach the quarter-finals.

However, the result was harsh on Championship strugglers Blackpool who created a host of chances as they repeatedly exploited Spurs's weak defence.

All eyes were on Ramos as he took his seat, but it was the Tangerines who commanded the early attention on the pitch as shots from Keigan Parker and Stephen Crainey had the Spurs defence scrambling.

The home team settled down after their nervy start and nearly opened the scoring in the sixth minute but Didier Zakora's shot fizzed narrowly wide of the post.

Superb defending saved Blackpool shortly afterwards when they somehow managed to clear a drilled Aaron Lennon cross which Keane seemed sure to convert.

Ramos was served a reminder of why Spurs find themselves in the Premier League relegation zone when a midfield mix-up involving Keane led to midfielder David Fox hitting the side-netting when clean through on goal.

The first goal of the Ramos tenure was scored in the 18th minute by in-form Keane, but it owed a lot more to traditional English route-one play than it did to Spanish flair.

Tottenham's Captain Robbie Keane is seen in action during their Carling Cup match against Blackpool at home to Tottenham at White Hart Lane football stadium. Tottenham won 2-0.

Dimitar Berbatov rose unchallenged to flick-on a hopeful ball from Paul Robinson and his well-placed header put Keane through to score with a neat flick over the advancing Paul Rachubka.

The goal failed to dampen the visitors' spirit and for the rest of the half they looked the equal of their more illustrious opponents, whose wayward passing had Ramos gesticulating in frustration.

The visitors started the second-half as they did the first and were desperately unlucky not to level in the 46th minute.

The lively Parker jinked down the wing and floated a cross to the far-post but the unmarked Gary Taylor-Fletcher could only thump his header against the crossbar.

Stung into action, Spurs immediately went down the other end and in a repeat of the goal, a Berbatov flick put Keane through on goal. The Irishman tried the same clipped finish but this time the ball went just wide of the post.

Spurs's frail defence was exposed yet again when a cross into the box found Taylor-Fletcher but the unlucky midfielder could only watch as his full-blooded volley was kept out by Paul Robinson's stunning reflexes.

The home team gave themselves breathing space with a Chimbonda headed goal in the 57th minute.

Malbranque floated an outswinging corner to the far post which the French defender connected with solidly to claim his second goal of the season in all competitions.

The strike finally seemed to break Simon Grayson's men and Spurs were able to play out the rest of the game in relative comfort.