Defoe hat-trick sends Spurs top

Hull 1 Tottenham 5

Jermain Defoe hit a superb hat-trick as Tottenham went top of the Barclays Premier League with a resounding win at Hull.

Defoe and Wilson Palacios both struck in the opening 14 minutes as Tottenham began brilliantly at the KC Stadium.

Stephen Hunt gave Hull hope when his cross from a free-kick bounced in, but Defoe scored again on the stroke of half-time and then once more in the last minute after a Robbie Keane headed goal.

Tottenham now have a 100% record after two games for only the second time in 14 years, while Hull have not won in the Premier League since March, a run stretching back 12 games.

Harry Redknapp’s men were outstanding in attack and Hull’s defence had few answers.

Only when Hull attempted to play Tottenham at their own game did they get back into contention but even then they were exposed all too often.

Defoe was the first player to get a sight of goal but his delicate chip drifted narrowly over.

The England striker made no mistake in the 10th minute, however, after Spurs were gifted possession by George Boateng.

Tom Huddlestone threaded a perfect ball into the penalty area and Defoe coolly went wide of Michael Turner to fire a low left-footed shot into the far corner.

The night got worse for Hull four minutes later as Keane burst into space up the middle and slipped in Palacios on the left.

The former Wigan man proved equally clinical as Defoe as he fired home from a similar angle.

The only downside for Spurs up to that point was that goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes had hurt himself stretching for a high ball moments earlier and had to be replaced by Carlo Cudicini.

Undeterred, Tottenham continued to press forward and Luka Modric shot straight at Boaz Myhill from long distance before Defoe sent another long-range effort over.

Hull were being completely overrun and manager Phil Brown was concerned enough to make a change after 21 minutes by bringing off striker Daniel Cousin and sending on playmaker Geovanni.

The Tigers had their best early opening soon after as Hunt shot well wide, and that at least had the effect of lifting the crowd.

Remarkably, they had something to cheer in the 24th minute as Hunt handed them a fortuitous lifeline.

The lively Geovanni won a free-kick on the right and Hunt, goalscorer on debut against Chelsea on Saturday, floated in a cross that beat everybody and bounced in.

Geovanni caused further problems for the Tottenham defence and created an opening for the confident Hunt, but the recalled Alan Hutton tackled well.

Caleb Folan then wriggled free to fire past Cudicini but referee Chris Foy blew for a foul on Sebastien Bassong.

Hull were briefly rejuvenated and Bernard Mendy picked out Folan with a cross but his header was off target.

Yet Spurs remained a threat and Defoe gave further warning of their potency when he drilled a shot wide.

Hull did not learn the lesson and Defoe grabbed the third in the 45th minute after flicking the ball past a wrong-footed Turner and blasting past Myhill.

Tottenham started the second half well with Benoit Assou-Ekotto breaking clear but Keane was unable to turn in his cross.

Keane was booked for a nasty-looking tackle on former Tottenham star Nick Barmby while Folan saw yellow for a bad challenge on Hutton.

Hull appealed for a penalty after Geovanni went down in the area but Foy was unmoved and similarly waved away a later shout for handball.

Assou-Ekotto fired a free-kick into the wall and Huddlestone was unable to make the most of the rebound, while Modric also shot over.

Hunt won a free-kick for Hull after being fouled by Hutton while in full flow but Geovanni shot straight at Cudicini.

The Brazilian tested Cudicini again with a powerful header which the Italian tipped over the bar.

Tottenham wrapped up the points 12 minutes from time after breaking up the field following a Hull corner.

The ball was worked wide to Lennon and the winger lofted a perfect cross for Keane to head in.

It proved Keane’s last significant contribution as Peter Crouch was then brought on in his place. Lennon then picked out Crouch with another cross from the right but Myhill saved his header.

Defoe had the final word when he drilled home a fierce left-footed shot in stoppage-time.