Sport : Football

Defoe helps Spurs sink Royals

16th September 2012, 07:24pm

Defoe and Lennon celebrate the opening goal

Defoe and Lennon celebrate the opening goal

Jermain Defoe scored either side of a Gareth Bale goal as Spurs won 3-1 at Reading to claim their first Premier League victory of the season.

Tottenham were the better side from the first whistle in Berkshire and took the lead in the 18th minute when Defoe converted Aaron Lennon's cutback.

Reading threatened briefly either side of half-time but Spurs had regained control of the game well before Bale made it 2-0 with a scuffed finish in the 71st minute.

Defoe then scored another three minutes later after a run from inside his own half to earn Andre Villas-Boas his first win as manager but leave Reading still looking for their first success back in the Premier League.

The Royals did score a late consolation, however, when Adam Le Fondre lifted a ball to the far post for his fellow substitute Hal Robson-Kanu to poke home.

Two draws and a defeat in Spurs' first three games had seen pressure build on new manager Villas-Boas, but Defoe believes this win could kickstart their season.

"New managers come into football clubs and sometimes it takes time," Defoe told Sky Sports 1.

"People just think instantly they're going to be unbelievable, but sometimes it takes time.

"I'm sure today the fans are happy and everyone that's been doubting us they can hopefully look at us and see that we can do well this season.

"Our season will start now."

Defoe could have added a third to complete his hat-trick but he was content with the three points nevertheless.

"It would have been nice to have got the match ball, but to score two and help my team win is fantastic," he added.

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