Defoe punishes toothless MK Dons

JERMAIN DEFOE scored twice to shrug off the controversy over his bite on West Ham’s Javier Mascherano and fire Tottenham into the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

Martin Jol’s side brushed aside the challenge of League Two minnows MK Dons thanks to double strikes from Mido and Defoe and a late fifth from substitute Robbie Keane.

Mido put Spurs in front in the 34th minute and set up the second for Defoe eight minutes later.

The England striker added his second of the night five minutes after the restart, and could have had a hat-trick before Mido added his third in two games in the 59th minute.

The Dons had made the brighter start. In the seventh minute, striker Clive Platt forced Radek Cerny to save with a 20-yard low drive.

Defoe’s intent was made clear in the 14th minute when he forced Adolfo Baines into a diving save with a shot from the edge of the area.

The home side made life difficult for Spurs with Izale McLeod’s pace and Platt’s height giving the defence much to contend with.

But in the 34th minute, Spurs went ahead through Mido. The Egyptian was first to Reto Ziegler’s left-wing cross as the home defence hesitated.

Mido turned provider in the 42nd minute. A clever pass found Defoe in space and the England striker ran on to deftly lift the ball over Baines for Tottenham’s second.

The half-time scoreline was harsh on the hosts, but any hopes of a comeback were shattered within five minutes of the restart as Spurs increased the lead.

The home defence appeared to have saved the situation when Hossam Ghaly’s attempted cross was blocked, but Huddlestone cleverly chipped the ball into the path of Defoe, who supplied an incisive finish.

Defoe’s partnership with Mido was potent and in the 59th minute they combined to make it four.

Defoe again sprinted clear of the defence. His shot was saved well by Baines but the ball ran to Mido who fired it through a myriad of defenders.

Defoe was replaced with 10 minutes left by Robbie Keane, who added Spurs’ fifth in the final minute of normal time.

MILTON KEYNES DONS: Baines, Smith, Diallo, O’Hanlon, Lewington, McGovern, Andrews (Edds 63), Wilbraham, Dyer (Crooks 70), Platt (Taylor 70), McLeod.

TOTTENHAM: Cerny, Stalteri, Davenport (Dawson 46), Gardner, Ziegler, Murphy, Huddlestone (Lennon 70), Davids, Ghaly, Mido, Defoe (Keane 80).