Tottenham snuff out Rovers' Euro hopes
Defoe was on target as Spurs took a share of the points
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Thursday, 10, May 2007 11:03
Jermain Defoe's second goal in successive games earned Tottenham a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn after they had fallen behind to a first-half header from Benni McCarthy.
The former West Ham forward helped to condemn Charlton to the drop on Monday night and his predatory strike tonight ended Mark Hughes' chances of Uefa Cup football next season.
Neither side will have struck much fear into continental opposition judging by their start to the match however.
Anthony Gardner and Pascal Chimbonda both headed weakly at goal for the home side after Morten Gamst Pedersen had slashed a shot well wide in Rovers' best moment.
But the Norwegian proved far more accurate with a wonderful cross on 32 minutes which McCarthy confidently nodded in to send the visitors into the break ahead.
After showing promising signs of working an equaliser after the restart, Martin Jol threw on Robbie Keane on the hour in the hope of further tightening the screw on Blackburn.
Their pressure finally told when Dimitar Berbatov's drilled effort was only parried by a full-length Brad Friedel and Defoe reacted quickest to slot home the loose ball.
The diminutive forward could have added a second soon after but never looked convincing on his weaker left foot once the defence opened up for him.
The game finished on a bitter note for Blackburn as Jason Roberts received his marching orders for a second bookable offence and their hopes of stealing into the top seven slowly drifted away.