Defoe joy to hit Euro milestone

A first Tottenham goal for Erik Lamela and a record-breaking penalty from Jermain Defoe secured safe passage into the knockout rounds of the Europa League for Andre Villas-Boas’s side as they finally broke down a spirited Sheriff side to win 2-1 at White Hart Lane.

Lamela tucked away the first goal 15 minutes into the second half, before being tripped inside the box moments later to give Defoe a chance to make history from 12 yards. The England striker converted the penalty to claim his 23rd European goal for the club, one more than Martin Chivers managed during his time at White Hart Lane. Sheriff’s Ismail Isa hit back on 72 minutes but it wasn’t enough.

“To go top of the list I’m delighted,” said Defoe. “I was confident, what an opportunity to do it.”

Defoe said Chivers gave him words of encouragement before the game.

“He’s a legend, I saw him at half time. He said to me keep it going you’ll get it.”

Michael Laudrup admitted he felt sorry for his players after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser as they drew 1-1 with 10-man Kuban Krasnodar in Group A. Ibrahima Balde cancelled out Wilfried Bony’s opener for the hosts, who had defender Xandao sent off with 15 minutes remaining.

The result means Swansea have now won just twice in nine games.

“The boys are disappointed but I said to them if we keep going like this with the same spirit, we will have no problems,” said Laudrup. “I feel for the players that we didn’t win this game, because I thought they deserved it for the effort they put in in the first half.”

Wigan boss Owen Coyle was keen to give credit to his players despite seeing them lose 1-0 at Rubin Kazan.

The only goal came in the 22nd minute when Oleg Kuzmin latched on to a lofted ball into the area and cracked it home.

Coyle said: “We certainly shouldn’t be leaving here on the end of a 1-0 scoreline. We have hit the woodwork and had numerous chances in the second half. We certainly deserved to take something from the game.”

Coyle is still confident about gaining the top-two spot required for qualification to the knockout rounds.

“We have the quality to progress from the group. We have to keep putting in performances like tonight and if we do that it will see us earn enough points to qualify.”