Leeds United 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Jermain Defoe's hat-trick sealed a 3-1 win at Elland Road to end Leeds' FA Cup adventure

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Wednesday, 03, Feb 2010 09:35

By Alistair Potter.

A hat-trick from Jermain Defoe ensured Spurs avoided an FA Cup exit at the hands of giant-killers Leeds United at Elland Road.

The Whites had eliminated Manchester United at Old Trafford in the previous round, and a last-minute penalty from Jermaine Beckford earned them a replay from the first leg of this tie at White Hart Lane.

However, a solid Tottenham performance - and three goals from a wasteful Defoe who could, and should have had five or six - held off a Leeds side who had their spells of pressure but were ultimately second best.

Having missed several earlier chances, including one excellent one-on-one with United goalkeeper Casper Ankergren, Defoe opened the scoring when his mishit shot from a David Bentley cross skewed into the top corner.

But the goal brought the home side to life and they pressed their Premier League opponents back immediately.

Their reward was a swift response in the shape of Luciano Becchio, who was on hand to turn home the rebound after Jermaine Beckford's toe-poked shot was well saved by Heurelho Gomes on the stroke of half-time.

Spurs continued to dominate in the second half and only a string of good saves from Ankergren and the wastefulness of Defoe up front kept the scores level.

The diminutive England man was unlucky to be flagged offside with about 20 minutes left after turning home Gareth Bale's cross from just past the last defender.

But it wasn't long until another chance came his way - Jermaine Jenas fed Bentley wide on the right and his low cross was met by Defoe on the edge of the six-yard box for a 2-1 lead.

During the final 15 minutes Leeds threatened only once, when a Jonathan Howson header went narrowly over.

But it was Spurs that looked the more likely to score again, and so it proved as, with men committed upfield, Defoe broke clear, rounded Ankergren and slotted home to seal victory.