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Hotshot Jermaine Defoe, with the match ball following Spurs' nine goal demolition of Wigan
Photo courtesy of Matt Dunham, AP |
Five goal Defoe
has a a ball
On fire striker proves he's a hot shot finisher with record equalling haul
PREMIER LEAGUE
TOTTENHAM H 9 (Nine) WIGAN A 1
FOR Jermaine Defoe, a signed match ball; for Spurs fans it was quite simply, a 'Were you there?' moment, as the England striker claimed only the third ever individual, five goal Premier League haul at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
Only Andrew Cole in 1995 v Ipswich and Alan Shearer (1999 v Sheff Weds) have notched up five goals in a Premier League match, until Defoe added his name with a sizzling display of finishing, as Spurs put nine past a hapless Wigan Athletic.
The nippy forward was chomping at the bit, following his three match ban and the international break. And although he is yet to convince his doubters he can turn it on for England, he is unquestionably one of the Premier League's most feared strikers.
His seven minute hat trick just after half time was just the tonic for Spurs, who had looked as if they would fail to build on Peter Crouch's ninth minute opener. Boss Harry Redknapp admitted his side had allowed Wigan a purple 20 minute patch in the first half.
"We started well, but stepped off the gas". But from the restart, Redknapp needn't have worried, as his charges tore into their opponents.
If Defoe was the man-of-the match, Aaron Lennon caught the eye too, with his maurading runs and a goal of his own on 64 minutes.
The Spurs' midfield shone too, with Midfielders Tom Huddlestone, and Niko Krankcar, the pick of the bunch. Boss Redknapp was thrilled by the Croatian's contribution. "Nico was outstanding. He deserved his goal".
Kranjcar's rasping shot in injury time was Spurs' ninth, and the icing on the cake of a champagne afternoon for Spurs, when everything clicked into place.
Even when Wigan's Paul Scharner clearly controlled the ball with his hand to make the score 3-1 on 57 minutes, Defoe restored the three goal cushion within seconds for his hat trick. And with the home side rampant in attack, Spurs' three goal cushion quickly became four, five, six, seven and eight. |
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