As was the case at Liverpool a week earlier, Nelsen started the match on the bench but this time made it onto the pitch in the 75th minute to replace captain and fellow defender Ledley King at centre back.
The three points were all but safely in the bag by Nelsen’s arrival, four first half goals and another midway through the second spell having put the impressive Spurs well in control.
Whilst a debut for a club of Tottenham’s standing would be a memorable moment for any footballer, the occasion had added significance for Nelsen as it was his first Premier League appearance since August last year.
That appearance for former club Blackburn Rovers, a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, was his only previous outing in a campaign massively disrupted by a long-term knee injury.
But the 34-year-old appears to be back to full fitness and is set to play a part as third-placed Tottenham chase the Premier League title.
Nelsen joined Spurs from Blackburn in a surprising move which unfolded late on transfer deadline day last month.
He has been handed the number 33 shirt by manager Harry Redknapp and will challenge for a starting position with the likes of Michael Dawson, Ledley King, William Gallas and Younes Kaboul.

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