Tottenham started the Juande Ramos era by reaching the Carling Cup quarter-final at the expense of Blackpool - but the new boss was shown how tough his new job will be.
On the face of it they are two matches from Wembley, although their opponents from the Coca-Cola Championship caused trouble for Spurs' defence at times, setting off the panic that has undermined their season.
It took Robbie Keane's opener in the 18th minute to settle the nerves of the home fans - Ramos maintained his 'granite mask' and merely pointed to Paul Robinson who had helped create the goal.
The Spaniard punched the air when Pascal Chimbonda added a second in the second half after Blackpool had hit the bar, and they would have been level but for Robinson's agility in goal for Spurs.
The rest of the time Ramos gestured as his side lost the ball cheaply and struggled to play their way out of trouble against a side that was playing in League One last season.
Tougher times await for Ramos, starting with the trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday when Spurs look to climb out of the bottom three of the Premier League. Their aim, of course, is to reach the Champions League, not to set up a rematch with the Seasiders next season.
Ramos picked a full-strength team to have a proper look at what he has on his hands, and it took less than a minute for him to start stalking his technical area, pointing instruction to a defence that looked short on confidence.
Blackpool, 20th in their division, sensed their opportunity and started with pace, and only Younes Kaboul's block prevented Robinson being called into action after Keigan Parker was sent down the right channel.
Parker then set up a great chance after Keane lost the ball in midfield, only for David Fox to fire into the sidenetting.
Keane has been the only player full of confidence during Spurs' dismal start the season, and it was no surprise that it was the Republic of Ireland striker who opened the scoring, his 24th in his last 31 games.
For all the talk of Ramos bringing stylish football with him from Sevilla, the first goal of his time at White Hart Lane was route-one.
Keane clipped over goalkeeper Paul Rachubka from Dimitar Berbatov's flick-on. Ramos barely flinched, merely pointing at Robinson, whose long punt had set up the opener.
Keane had scored the first goal of the Martin Jol era three years ago and he did the same for Ramos, although his team-mates did not immediately capitalise on the breakthrough.
Spurs were restricted to long-range efforts before the break, then Blackpool started the second half looking to rattle the hosts.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher smacked the crossbar with a header from Parker's cross within two minutes of the restart.
Keane should have added a second when he raced through and chipped wide and he was nearly made to rue his miss as Robinson somehow flung himself to keep out Taylor-Fletcher's next effort, which was headed for the top corner.
Robinson was also guilty of a fumble and poor kicking, suggesting his jitters from earlier in the season have not entirely disappeared.
Just as the visitors were gaining momentum, Chimbonda headed in Spurs' second.
Steed Malbranque's corner found the full-back unmarked at the far post and the France international thudded home his header.
Jermain Defoe came on for Keane after the hour mark and almost scored with his first touch, only for Rachubka to tip over the crossbar.
Ramos also looked at Darren Bent off the bench as well as Teemu Tainio at right-back after taking off Kaboul, suggesting there will be changes before long.
At least Spurs have the winning feeling again after six games without victory prior to the clash.
During that time they have been accused of being amateurs off the pitch for the manner of Jol's dismissal.
Having plastic cards rather than an electronic scoreboard did nothing to repair the image, although this time it was the responsibility of the officials rather than the club.
