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Jermain Defoe has set himself a double target after earning his place in history by scoring five goals in Tottenham's amazing 9-1 win over Wigan.
Defoe became only the fourth Spurs player to hit five in a single game — the last was Les Allen in February 1960 — and only the third after Alan Shearer and Andy Cole to do so since the
Premier League began in 1992.
After taking his tally to 11 League goals this season and helping the club to their biggest top-flight win, Defoe underlined his determination to stay at the top of the scoring charts until the end of the campaign.
He said: “It would be the first time I'd won the Golden Boot, so I'd like to do it this year.”
The England striker also hopes to ensure that Spurs qualify for the Champions League next season and then wants to book a place in Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup in South Africa.
He added: “I always watch Champions League games on television.
“It's another competition where you're playing against the best and I'd be playing against the best defenders in the world. It's a great tournament.
“That is the pressure you want as a professional. All the best athletes and players over the years thrive on that pressure and cannot wait for the next game to arrive.”
Defoe also acknowledged that he needed to repay his team-mates after his red card for stamping in the 2-1 win at his former club Portsmouth.
Spurs lost two of the three games he was suspended for but the striker bounced back yesterday as his five goals came in 36 second-half minutes.
Peter Crouch, Aaron Lennon, Niko Kranjcar and an own-goal from Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland completed the rout.
Defoe admitted: “It was important to come back like this because I owed something to the team. It was stupid and I shouldn't have got sent off.
“When I got sent off I knew what I had done straight away and it was out of character. I can't remember the last time I was booked.”
Reader views (11)
Not many Gooners crawling out of the woodwork on this one, where are you Rob Gooner.
- Nick Collins, LOS ANGELES, 24/11/2009 05:34
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Absolutely incredible. Seeing my beloved Spurs team smash up Wigan Athletic in those kind of circumstances incredible. Jermain Defoe your def in the England squad no one needs to tell Jermain Defoe he ain't going to SA next Summer when he hammers in 5 goals in one game. He has scored 11 goals in the League and 4 in the cup so he is def on the verge of bagging 25-30 goals this season even when he was suspended for 3 games. I know Spurs haven't really done well against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal but I thought in the Chelsea game when Chelsea were only leading 1-0 and we should have had a penalty moments after the restart only for Chelsea to go up and score again. And besides we didnt have Gomes in goal against Chelsea so that makes a huge difference mind you nor did we have him against Manchester United either so those games were truly lost because of him because hes starting to develop into a top quality goalkeeper. All we need to do is keep going until the bitter end next up Aston Villa away on Saturday evening I def watch that on ESPN 5:30pm kickoff if we win that Spurs will be 3 points ahead of Arsenal and Arsenal who play Sunday against Chelsea at the Emirates and Arsenal without Robin Van Persie can be difficult against an inform Chelsea at the moment. One has to remember that Arsenal lost to Sunderland this weekend which made my day. There were loads of surprise results at the weekend.
- Seb Franklin, Bexleyheath, 24/11/2009 00:55
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great result - now let's produce the same work rate versus the likes of Villa and Everton. Being a Spurs fan myself, I would see good results against the best of the rest as a major improvement in our squad.
COYS
- Danny, NYC, USA, 23/11/2009 18:17
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it's lennon we HAVE TO HAVE at the world cup . as fast as sean wright phillips , but his passing into the box is as good as beckham ever was/is .
- Clive, london, 23/11/2009 18:10
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in the whole defoe saga ...peolple forgetting aron lenon what s display by him......salute mate
- Tj, london, 23/11/2009 15:45
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This will all be forgotten about when Spuds go to Villa next week and get humped 3-0. Typical Spuds
- Richard, Cambridge, 23/11/2009 13:51
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Fantastic result for Spurs, but let's not get carried away. We were made to look mediocre at the Emirates - which was probably another inaccurate yard stick of our improvement over the last 12 months. With Lennon, Defoe, Modric back, Crouch and Kranjcar integrating well and finally Palcios, Dawson, Woodgate and Ledley performing I think we have every chance of doing well - maybe a CL place. But don't forget we have benefitted from AV Lpool ManC getting erratic performances. Spurs cannot rely on this over the next 6 months.
COYS!
- Coys Switz, switzerland, 23/11/2009 11:55
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Superb passing, crisp finishing and full concentration against a very poor Wigan side has boosted Spurs' confidence. But let's not get carried away with this truly amazing result or the avalanche of hyperbole from the red-tops (look at our record against the top sides).
- Ted, London, 23/11/2009 11:53
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Quality finishing from a quality player. Pack your bags Jermain, you're off to SA!
- Mike Patton, London, 23/11/2009 11:40
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I was at White Hart Lane when Bill Nicholson had his first game as manager. Spurs beat Everton 10-4. I was also there years later when Spurs beat Crewe 13-2. I also saw them beat Bristol 9-0. I think my memory serves me well, and I could go on about other multi-goal games. But it did my heart good to see them score 9 last Saturday. Spurs style was always built on good, exciting, attacking football. With Harry, whom I recommended for the managership three months before he won the FA Cup with Portsmouth, I see no reason for the 'Glory Days' to return. I remember Danny Blanchflower, when speaking on a TV chat show quite a few years ago saying 'It's not about winning, it's about the glory..!' God Bless you Danny, you were a great Spurs servant, and I'm sure you would be resting at peace and delighted to have seen last Saturday's result.
- E. Clark, Los Angeles, 23/11/2009 10:27
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I wonder how the London evening standard will display news of Tottenham's 9-1 win over Wigan? luck maybe ? after the ridiculous comments after the Arsenal game i certainly doubt we'll be in for any praise. Well lets see who finishes where at the end of the season hey!
- Disko, London, 23/11/2009 10:23
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