Gregory off to flying start

Lee Morris fires the only goal just before half time

Derby 1-0 Tottenham
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Lee Morris finally had something to smile about for Derby as John Gregory's first game in charge ended in a priceless victory over Tottenham.

Morris, making his first Premiership start since the opening day of the season, struck two minutes before half time to secure Derby only their sixth win of the season.

His well-taken goal just before half-time saw Gregory's gamble in starting with the young striker pay handsome dividends.

  Key moments

8 mins: Valakari shot comfortably saved by Sullivan

43 mins: Morris shot squeezes under Sullivan's body for only goal

85 mins: Morris shot pushed away by Sullivan

90 mins: Sheringham fails to connect with injury-time chance in front of goal

The home side were clearly lifted by the arrival of a new manager - the fourth they have worked under this season.

Pumped up from the very first whistle, the home side carried an immediate threat to Spurs with Morris an early danger as he looked to make up for lost time.

Simo Valakari saw a sidefoot shot comfortably saved by Neil Sullivan after Malcolm Christie had pounced on a sloppy pass from Chris Perry.

But, for all their early fire, Derby failed to carry a consistent threat and Glenn Hoddle's unpredictable visitors gradually took over.

Steve Sherwood emerged as the game's dictator and Spurs had chances to move ahead, Mauricio Tarrico heading straight at the goalkeeper when well placed and Teddy Sheringham flicking a header over the bar from a biting free kick.

But a new spirit clearly exists within Gregory's Rams and the home side weathered the mini storm before crucially edging ahead two minutes before half time.

Gregory celebrates after Morris' first-half winner

Pierre Ducroq played a defence-splitting pass to the feet of Fabrizio Ravanelli and the Italian helped the ball on towards Darryl Powell.

The Derby captain failed to capitalise on the chance but the ball fell for Morris, who untangled his feet before hitting a left-foot shot which squirmed under the body of Neil Sullivan.

Dean Richards scrambled the ball away and furiously claimed the ball had not crossed the line, though will undoubtedly be embarrassed by the appeal when he sees television replays of the goal.

Spurs worked hard in a bid to find a way back after the break but Derby's defence, which included an impressive debut from new full-back Warren Barton, held firm.

In fact, the home side could have won by more than a single goal for only the fourth time this season.

Not surprisingly, it was Morris who came closest to a second goal with a crisp shot from Malcolm Christie's pass.

This time, Sullivan was equal to the task, superbly palming the shot away.

The damage, though, had already been done.

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Derby: Oakes, Barton, Riggott, Higginbotham, Zavagno, Valakari, Ducrocq, Powell, Morris, Christie, Ravanelli. Subs: O'Neil, Burton, Kinkladze, Boertien, Grant.

Tottenham: Sullivan, Davies, Perry, Richards, King, Taricco, Sherwood, Poyet, Leonhardsen, Sheringham, Iversen. Subs: Anderton, Rebrov, Etherington, Thelwell, Kelly.

Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield)