Tottenham claimed joint leadership of Group A with Inter Milan in the Champions League after a superb 4-1 win over Dutch side FC Twente.
Wednesday's win was the perfect way to welcome Europe's top club competition back to White Hart Lane after an absence of almost 50 years.
Two penalties from Roman Paylyuchenko, a late goal from Gareth Bale and a superb strike from Rafael van der Vaart before the Dutchman was sent off meant Spurs easily beat the Dutch champions, for whom Nacer Chadli scored a consolation goal.
The game started at a terrific pace in torrential rain, with the ball zipping about quickly on the sodden turf.
Spurs soon got into their usual passing stride, looking to get Gareth Bale going down the left to deliver his ever-dangerous crosses.
The Dutch side took a more central route, searching to utilise the power of strikers Bryan Ruiz and Marc Janko.
It was Austria international Janko who unleashed the first shot, only to be denied by Heurelho Gomes in his return to the Spurs goal after a month out of action.
The Brazilian made a superb save in the 11th minute to keep the Dutch side at bay, pulling out a one-handed stop above his head from Ruiz after the striker ran clear of the Spurs defence.
That came shortly after Roman Pavlyuchenko missed a simple chance for Spurs, shooting wide from 18 yards after a poor headed clearance.
Spurs, having survived another early scare when Ruiz shot over from close range after Theo Janssen's volley was blocked, then started to take control.
With Rafael van der Vaart at the heart of everything and Bale adventurous down the left, Spurs laid siege to the Twente goal.
Van der Vaart had a curling shot saved by former Liverpool goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov, who then held on to a spectacular overhead shot from Tottenham's Dutch midfielder in the 36th minute.
It was becoming a personal battle between the two and, when Peter Crouch was hauled to the ground by Peter Wisgerhof, van der Vaart had the chance to score from the penalty spot.
After hs delaying tactics earned him a yellow card, Mihaylov had the last laugh as he tipped Van der Vaart's effort on to the post and away.
Shortly before half-time, the keeper made another fine save from a vicious dipping volley by Van der Vaart to ensure both sides went in at half-time goalless.
But it did not stay that way for long.
Within three minutes of the restart, Spurs were 2-0 ahead.
Van der Vaart made the breakthrough in spectacular style on 47 minutes, swivelling ten yards from goal to smash a volley past Mihaylov after Crouch had knocked down Huddlestone's cross.
The home supporters erupted into chorus and three minutes later they were in dreamland as Spurs doubled their lead from the penalty spot.
This time it was Pavlyuchenko who took the kick, after Bale was tripped by Roberto Rosales as the Welshman teased him inside the penalty area.
The Russian made no mistake, hammering the ball past Mihaylov.
But the Dutch side gave themselves hope when they pulled a goal back in the 55th minute.
A free-kick was lofted into the Spurs penalty area, the ball bobbled loose and substitute Nacer Chadli stabbed it home from 10 yards.
That hope of a comeback was increased five minutes later when Van der Vaart was sent off.
The midfielder had been booked in the first-half, and when he barged Rosales into the perimeter boards referee Terje Hauge produced a second yellow card.
It means the Dutchman will miss the trip to Inter Milan in three weeks time.
Spurs had to regroup, but their two-goal lead was restored soon afterwards - again from the penalty spot.
Pavlyuchenko's shot was stopped by the arm of Wout Brama and the Russian struck the coolest of penalties, chipping the ball over the diving Mihaylov.
Spurs survived more scares but could have scored again when Luka Modric was denied by a brilliant tackle from Douglas as he shaped to shoot.
But Spurs were not to be denied long as Bale capped a superb performance with the final goal, racing on to a poor header from Douglas to slide the ball past Mihaylov.
It was just reward for Bale after the Welshman's tireless display, and finished off a well-deserved victory for Tottenham.