Spurs finally have a Russian in their arsenal

JERMAIN DEFOE may have recorded his 22nd goal of the season, and his sixth against Wigan, to help rekindle Tottenham’s hopes of Champions League qualification, but a late double from out of favour striker Roman Pavlyuchenko proved to be the talking point.

Defoe had rattled in five against the Latics at White Hart Lane in November, and tapped in the opener here. It was offside, but the 27-year-old has equalled his best ever haul in a campaign.

For a side who scored nine in that November fixture, it seems amazing that Defoe’s strike on 27 minutes was only Tottenham’s fourth league goal of 2010.