Defoe brace puts skids on Villa
Jermaine Defoe scored a brace at home for Spurs
Also In The News
|
Three men have been charged with the murder of a father-of-two in Staffordshire. |  |
Tuesday, 26, Dec 2006 05:24
Jermain Defoe netted twice as Tottenham's strong form at White Hart Lane continued with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
The former West Ham frontman combined well with Bulgarian strike-partner Dimitar Berbatov for both strikes and his side held on for the win in spite of Gareth Barry's late consolation for the visitors.
In east London West Ham boss Alan Curbishley tasted defeat for the first time in his new post as Portsmouth won out 2-1 at Upton Park.
The visitors' goals came from an unlikely source as defender Linvoy Primus nodded home two first-half deliveries from Pedro Mendes.
Teddy Sheringham smashed home a rebound after the interval to set up an exciting climax to the game, but the Hammers could not find their way past some resolute Pompey defending for a second.
Bolton showed typical determination to dig out a result as they came from behind to record a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle.
Kieron Dyer's impressive return from injury continued when, after just 11 minutes, he bustled his way through some hesitant Trotters defending and slotted home.
But his strike was cancelled out by the second festively-comic own-goal of the day as Peter Ramage took his lead from Chelsea's Michael Essien, beating his own keeper ten minutes from half time.
Nicolas Anelka completed the comeback a quarter of an hour into the second period, side-footing home an El-Hadji Diouf flick-on.
Manchester City left it late to fashion a 1-0 victory from their encounter with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
With the Blades having the best of the match, Stuart Pearce's men had Stephen Ireland to thank for an undeserved win as the young midfielder's 78th-minute goal stole the points for the Eastlands outfit.
Everton's clash with Middlesbrough ended goal-less, much to the frustration of the Goodison regulars who saw their side dominate the match but fail to find the goals to show for it.