Defoe strike gives Spurs victory

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 0

Tottenham are dreaming of a place in Europe next season after Jermain Defoe’s first-half strike helped them to a deserved win over Newcastle.

Defoe seized on a mix-up between Newcastle ’keeper Steve Harper and defender Celestine Babayaro to turn in his 22nd goal of the season shortly before half-time.

It could have been more comfortable for Spurs – Defoe, Fredi Kanoute and Simon Davies all missed chances – but this win moves them into seventh place, which could be good enough to qualify for next season’s UEFA Cup.

Newcastle were poor, however. Last weekend’s on-pitch fight between Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer appears to have upset their rhythm, and manager Graeme Souness will demand a better performance from his side in Lisbon in the second leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final tie against Sporting on Thursday.

Robbie Keane once more had to settle for a place on the Tottenham bench and speculation increases that he will leave the club at the end of the season.

But Spurs boss Martin Jol did make three changes to his starting XI, with Davies, Anthony Gardner and Stephen Kelly replacing injured trio Reto Ziegler, Nourredine Naybet and Noe Pamarot.

Bowyer and Dyer missed out through suspension for Newcastle following their fight in the match against Aston Villa last weekend, while Steven Taylor was also suspended and goalkeeper Shay Given missed out with a hip injury.

Harper was brought in between the posts, with Nicky Butt, Jean-Alain Boumsong and fit-again Babayaro the other changes to the side that beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Thursday.

Spurs started brightly, winning the ball in midfield and passing it crisply.

In the third minute, Michael Brown collected a clearance on the edge of the Newcastle penalty area and made space for himself, but his fierce left-foot shot was well saved by Harper.

Harper almost embarrassed himself with a mis-hit clearance, from Butt’s risky back-pass, that spun behind for a corner two minutes later.

But he saved his team in the ninth minute, flinging himself bravely at the feet of Defoe to prevent the England striker latching onto Andy Reid’s near-post cross from the left.

Newcastle got behind their hosts for the first time in the 15th minute. Jermaine Jenas released Shola Ameobi with an excellent lofted pass, but Ledley King was quick to read the situation and put the ball behind for a corner.

Ameobi should have given Newcastle the lead in the 27th minute, but he headed another fine cross from Jenas into the ground at the far post and the ball bounced over the crossbar.

But Spurs came straight back. Butt was twice caught in possession as the home side sought to go forward, and on the second occasion the former Manchester United midfielder was robbed on the edge of his own box by Davies.

The Welshman burst into the area and shot, by was denied by Boumsong’s timely block.

In the 32nd minute, Gardner rose above the Newcastle defence but headed Brown’s free-kick wide of the right post.

Defoe gave Spurs the lead after a dreadful mix-up in the Newcastle defence.

Babayaro passed the ball back onto Harper’s weaker left foot, and the goalkeeper could only clear the ball against Davies.

It was Defoe who reacted quickest to force the loose ball over the line from six yards.

Newcastle suffered another blow when captain Alan Shearer failed to re-emerge for the second half after sustaining what appeared to be a dead leg in the first period.

He was replaced by James Milner, who went to partner Ameobi in attack.

In the 48th minute, Magpies defender Andy O’Brien failed to control Spurs ’keeper Paul Robinson’s clearance and allowed Defoe to take possession, but Boumsong was on hand once more to produce a superb block and deny the prolific forward.

Robinson thanked his good fortune in the 58th minute. The England ’keeper tried to play a short ball to Gardner, but the centre-back did not read the situation and James Milner was able to seize possession and chip Robinson, but the ball went wide of the right post.

It was Harper’s turn to escape in the 66th minute when he failed to claim Reid’s through ball, but he was able to grab the ball from the feet of Davies at the second attempt.

Spurs should have sealed the points in the 75th minute, but Kanoute shot over from inside the area after Defoe had held off former Spurs defender Stephen Carr and fed his strike partner with a marvellous pass.

But while Spurs led by only one goal, Newcastle sensed they could steal a point.

Ledley King produced a great block to divert Milner’s shot from the edge of the box, and the England defender did even better to cut out the resulting cross from substitute Charles N’Zogbia.

At the other end, Babayaro’s desperate challenge prevented Kanoute turning in Reid’s left-wing cross at the near post with seven minutes left.