/world sport
(CNN) -- Russian international Roman Pavlyuchenko scored early in the first half as Tottenham Hotspur beat 10-man Blackburn Rovers on Sunday to move out of the Premier League relegation zone.
Pavlyuchenko was on target with a first time strike in the ninth minute.
The victory continued Tottenham's remarkable change of fortune under Harry Redknapp and takes them to 15th in the tightly packed standings.
By contrast, Paul Ince's Blackburn are rooted second bottom with Wigan, who host Everton on Monday, also slipping into the drop zone.
Spurs rebounded from last week's 2-1 loss at Fulham by outplaying Rovers for long spells at White Hart Lane, even before Blackburn lost left back Martin Olsson in the 39th minute for two yellow cards.
It completed a nightmare afternoon for the defender, who was at fault for the ninth minute goal.
He tried to beat Aaron Lennon but was robbed of possession, and the winger burst down the right flank and pulled the ball back to the unmarked Pavlyuchenko.
The striker, who formed an effective partnership with Darren Bent up front, confidently beat goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a first-time shot from 12 meters.
Pavlyuchenko almost added a second in the 18th minute when he flicked a cross from David Bentley onto the post with the back of his head.
Lennon caused havoc in the Blackburn defense with his searing pace and Olsson was sent off for pulling the winger down for his second yellow card.
The second half saw Tottenham maintain their domination with Blackburn rarely testing home goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who went into the match with confidence low after his well-publicized blunder to hand Fulham victory.
Man of the match Lennon was delighted with his own performance and had praise for Redknapp.
"I've been getting better and since the new boss has come in and this was probably my best performance. He (Redknapp) has given everyone confidence and freedom to play," he told Sky Sports News.
In Sunday's other game, Gianfranco Zola's West Ham scored their first win in eight games, beating fellow strugglers Sunderland 1-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Swiss international Valon Behrami scored his first goal for the club in the first half to secure the three points for the visitors.
Sunderland had several chances to equalize but defeat leaves Roy Keane's men teetering above the relegation zone.
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