Goal raises Defoe's hopes of Spurs start
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Your support makes all the difference.The Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe hopes his that first goal in nearly three months will earn him a recall to the starting line-up for Sunday's trip to Middlesbrough and improve his hopes of winning an England World Cup place.
The former West Ham striker, left on the bench for four games after failing to score since 26 September, admitted that it had been a big relief when he scored Spurs' third in the 90th minute against Portsmouth on Monday night.
The strike, which completed a 3-1 win, did not matter that much for the team. Mido's disputed penalty six minutes earlier had already seen off Pompey, but a clever finish rewarded Defoe for a 20-minute contribution after being brought on as a substitute at White Hart Lane.
"It has been a long time coming," he said. "It has been frustrating but I have tried to not let it get to me and have kept my head down and worked hard in training."
Defoe also earned the free-kick from which his fellow substitute Andy Reid's first touch struck the arm of Gary O'Neil and gave Mido his spot-kick chance. Then Defoe, whose previous goal had been in September against Fulham, topped it off by scoring from an awkward angle.
Now Spurs, in fourth place in the Premiership, can see daylight between themselves and fifth-placed Bolton - and are two places and four points ahead of Arsenal. "It is always good to be ahead of Arsenal," Defoe said. "They have been the team in north London for such a long time. We've played a game more than them but it is still nice to be ahead.
"I was pleased with my goal. When I got the yard I thought I would take another touch and hit it by the goalkeeper's feet. When it went in it was a great feeling and hopefully now I can get many more."
Spurs had made hard work of beating another Premiership struggler after the 3-2 battle with Sunderland last week. Defoe continued: "It was hard work against Portsmouth, to be honest. Sitting watching on the touchline it looked difficult and they caused us problems with their strong forwards. Even though we were a goal down I think we always believed we were going to win the game.
"We've got a winning mentality now which is important. Every game is hard and we knew this one would be with Harry Redknapp coming in, plus they need the points. We've not dropped many points at home, though, and the team spirit was great again."
After Martin Jol, the Tottenham head coach, dropped Defoe last month, he brought in the Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane to partner the powerful Mido up front.
The Egyptian has played every game this season apart from three out through suspension and looks central to Jol's plans. The Dutchman said: "Jermain showed he wants to be in the team and wants to score. I can't possibly tell you five or six days before the next game who is going to play. It is always a difficult decision to make."
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