Paul Robinson scored an extraordinary goal from his own half to embarrass his England rival Ben Foster in Tottenham's Barclays Premiership victory over Watford.

Robinson wheeled away in celebration after his free-kick bounced over Foster, the young goalkeeper on loan from Manchester United who has been putting pressure on his as England's first choice.

"That's why you're number one," sang the fans after his goal, remarkably the second of his career after netting for Leeds before arriving at Spurs.

Ironically, he had little to do aside from score the second after Jermaine Jenas had given Spurs the lead just before the break.

Foster was the one called into action more often and, after his monumental mis-judgement, he pulled off a stunning save to bravely deny Mido when he spilled Tom Huddlestone's tame effort.

Hossam Ghaly, however, added a third with five minutes left that Foster could do little about, with Darius Henderson grabbing a late consolation.

The clash was always billed as England's present against England's future goalkeepers, yet they had little to do in the opening exchanges.

Robinson's trickiest moment in the first half was controlling a back pass from Mido when the Egypt striker decided to head back to his own goal from the halfway line.

Mido was one of the raft of changes made by Spurs boss Martin Jol, with Monday's FA Cup quarter-final replay against Chelsea clearly in mind.

Spurs may have the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup to compete in, but the victory also saw them continue their march towards the top six, with Jol now using his players sparingly.

Jenas and Robinson were the senior players returning from injury, thigh and groin respectively, while Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Aaron Lennon were on the bench.

The trio of players Jol had in reserve had played significant roles in Spurs scoring 23 goals in the previous seven games, and without them the threat was less obvious.

Mido was given a little room in the first minute to collect a pass from Young-Pyo Lee but his cross dipped over Foster and away from danger.

It was a rare moment of threat of an opening period characterised by stray passes and a lack of cohesion from both teams.

Ricardo Rocha, also returning to the side, needed to visit the dressing room for four stitches under his eye and to change his blood-stained shirt after a challenge with Tommy Smith, but the centre-back was able to continue.

Steed Malbranque fashioned the first chance in the 17th minute, when he got to by-line and cut a cross back but Mido sliced his effort over.

Foster was called into action in the 24th minute after Jenas' reverse ball found Jermain Defoe in the penalty area. The England striker shot on the turn but Foster was down smartly to save.

At the other end, Watford were gifted their first chance to break the deadlock when Pascal Chimbonda's pass went straight to Tamas Priskin but the Hungarian's shot was blocked for a corner.

Chimbonda, however, helped Spurs grab the lead in the 41st minute.

The full-back's deep cross from the right was met by Jenas, who squeezed between Adrian Mariappa and Gareth Williams to steer his header beyond Foster. Defoe should have doubled the lead just before the break when he twisted his way past Lloyd Doyley and poked just wide, while Mido was inches from getting on the end of a Ghaly cross.

With 11 minutes gone in the second period Boothroyd replaced Priskin with Henderson in an attempt to put more pressure on Robinson's goal.

But it was Foster who was called into action, in the 57th minute, when he had to claw a Jenas corner away from danger. Malbranque then had a shot from 20 yards but Foster saved easily.

Huddlestone's free-kick was met by Mido but Foster was down smartly to save again.

But his good work was undone in the 63rd minute after Malbranque was fouled by Hameur Bouazza. Taking the free-kick well into his own half, Robinson's set-piece bounced over Foster and in.

Robinson had been embarrassed by Gary Neville's back-pass while playing for England earlier in the season, but this time it was Foster who was left with a red face.

Still, he showed why his reputation is so high with his brave save from Mido and also tipping over Huddlestone's swerving effort.

Ghaly added the third with five minutes remaining with a cool finish from 12 yards out, while Henderson grabbed a consolation when he tapped in from close range.

Teams:

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Rocha,Young-Pyo Lee (Stalteri 80), Ghaly, Jenas, Huddlestone,Malbranque (Lennon 71), Mido, Defoe.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Berbatov, Keane.

Goals: Jenas 41, Robinson 63, Ghaly 85.

Watford Foster, Mariappa, Doyley, Shittu, Powell,Chambers (Kabba 77), Mahon, Williams (Rinaldi 62), Smith,Priskin (Henderson 56), Bouazza.

Subs Not Used: Lee, Williamson.

Goals: Henderson 89.

Att: 36,051

Ref: M Halsey (Lancashire).