Uefa Cup/Tottenham 3 Dinamo Bucharest 1:Jermain Defoe struck twice against Dinamo Bucharest at White Hart Lane last night as Tottenham finished top of their group and secured safe passage into the last 32 of the Uefa Cup - Martin Jol's team maintaining their unbeaten record in this season's European competition.
Defoe's double added to Dimitar Berbatov's opener and, despite Jean Philippe Mendi's consolation in stoppage time, Spurs are unlikely to face a more comfortable 90 minutes all season.
Before the game, Jol stressed the importance of finishing top of the group to avoid a fallen Champions League side in today's draw for the second phase and his desire was optimised by the presence of Defoe, who was rated just 50-50 to play 24 hours earlier, and Didier Zokora, currently serving a three-match domestic suspension, in the home side's starting line-up.
A draw would have sufficed to finish first, but from the outset there was little doubt that Tottenham, the first winners of the competition in 1972, were determined to maintain their 100 per cent record in this season's competition.
Despite squandering a flurry of early chances - Tom Huddlestone and Defoe both saw drives well saved - it was only a matter of time before the breakthrough arrived.
Uladzimir Hayeu inexplicably bowled his clearance straight to the feet of Berbatov and the £10.9 million signing was only too happy to oblige and lashed the ball home from 25 yards.
Spurs began to advance with zest and, shortly after Defoe was thwarted by the crossbar, the England striker spun past Cristian Pulhac, raced through the defence and sent Tottenham into the break with a 2-0 lead.
In what was turning into a training exercise, Spurs exhibited a ruthless streak after the break.Defoe picked out Aaron Lennon on the left, who squared for Hossam Ghaly. With Tottenham players queuing up to score, the Egyptian's shot was parried and Defoe was on hand to roll the rebound into an empty net.
Tottenham's European bandwagon rumbles on towards Hampden Park in May next year.
TOTTENHAM:Robinson, Chimbonda (Stalteri 76), Dawson, King (Davenport 68), Assou-Ekotto, Ghaly, Zokora, Huddlestone (Malbranque 68), Lennon, Berbatov, Defoe. Subs not used: Cerny, Lee, Mido, Murphy. Goals: Berbatov 16, Defoe 39, 50.
DINAMO BUCHAREST:Hayeu, Daouda, Radu, Moti, Pulhac, Cristea, Margaritescu (Blay 65), Ropotan, Munteanu (Goian 57), Danciulescu (Mendy 77), Ioan Viorel Ganea. Subs not used: Matache, Pascovici, Codreanu, Predescu. Booked: Goian. Goals: Mendy 90. Att: 34,004.
Referee:B Brugger (Austria).
