Bent headed the winner against Wisla Krakow at White Hart Lane to earn a 2-1 lead to take into the second leg of the UEFA Cup first-round tie.

After three defeats and a draw so far in the Barclays Premier League, there was a sense of relief after Spurs finally broke their duck.

"The players are feeling the weight of expectation that's on their shoulders," said striker Bent.

"This season has started much like the last one. We didn't do so well in the league last year.

improved performance

"I hope this result is the start of us putting things right. That was an improved performance on what he have produced so far. We got more comfortable as the game went on."

Despite the win, Wisla gave Spurs a real scare and grabbed a potentially vital away goal when Tomas Jirsak cancelled out David Bentley's opener within a minute of the England winger getting his first for his new club.

Head coach Juande Ramos sent on Fraizer Campbell in the second half and the striker, loaned from Manchester United for the season, crossed for Bent to edge Spurs ahead.

Campbell said: "It was good to finally make my debut. It's not been difficult for me to settle here, it's just been a matter of being patient and waiting for the chance."

Ramos was without cup-tied duo Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka, while Luka Modric was out with a knee injury and will need assessment before Sunday's Barclays Premier League match against Wigan Athletic.

It meant Bentley was in his usual right-wing role after being played centrally earlier in the season.

"I totally agree he is better on the right but the problem we've had is that we haven't had many forwards in the first few games, so we needed David to play as a second forward," Ramos said.

Bent's goal was his third in as many matches and Ramos admits he is relying on his striker at the moment.

"Darren has played every minute so far this season and, one day, we'll have to give him a rest or it will be too much for him," Ramos said. "We'll look for the most appropriate moment to do that."