Source: Daily_Mail
Leeds 1 Tottenham 3: Redknapp backs Defoe for World Cup joy after hat-trick
Harry Redknapp backed Jermain Defoe's claims for a World Cup starting place after seeing him take Tottenham a step nearer Wembley with his third hat-trick of the season.[LNB]The Tottenham striker single-handedly ended Leeds' hopes of another FA Cup giantkilling act with three opportunist goals that took his overall tally to 21 and booked his side a fifth-round date at Bolton.[LNB] My ball: Defoe grabs the match ball after scoring his hat trick[LNB] Leeds 1 Tottenham 3: Jermain Defoe hat-trick crushes the hopes of Grayson's upstartsJermaine Beckford class puts him in a different leagueWhat a twit! Mark Bright apologises for going a Bridge too far with John Terry Luciano Becchio gave League One side Leeds hope when he tapped in Jermaine Beckford's rebound in first-half injury-time. [LNB]But Defoe restored the lead when he bundled the ball home at the near post from Bentley's perfect cross.[LNB]He put the result beyond doubt by running half the length of the field and rounding Casper Ankegren for his 20th goal of the season in added time.[LNB]As he marvelled at the sharpness that finally silenced a raucous EllandRoad crowd, Redknapp outlined why he believes that, with the exceptionof Wayne Rooney, there is no sharper finisher in English football.[LNB] 'Wayne is the best front man I have seen for years, but Jermain isterrific in front of goal, and there is no question he is up there withthe most natural finishers in the land,' said the Tottenham manager.'He could have had six goals tonight, and there is a case for sayingthe three he missed were easier than the three he scored.[LNB] 'The great thing is, he is so full of confidence, he always backshimself. But that's how he has always been. I can remember seeing himas a 15-year old, banging the goals in every Saturday and often comingoff the pitch with a hat-trick to his name. He has been doing it sincehe was a little lad, and he clearly hasn't lost the knack.[LNB] Double top: Defoe celebrates after scoring the second goal for Spurs[LNB]'They were three great finishes for his goals, and he showed he isalways a threat, always in the right position. I thought he benefitedfrom having Peter Crouch alongside him. Those knock downs wereinvaluable to him, and they looked a really effective double act.[LNB] [LNB]'As for going all the way, we've got a chance, but we can't get carriedaway. We've got to go to Bolton next, and that is going to be tough.' [LNB]A beaming Defoe said: 'The manager was tipping me for the Golden Bootaward at the start of the season, and now I am up there with WayneRooney on 23. Les Ferdinand said to me at half-time that if I didn'tget a hat-trick, he would kick me up the backside, so I'm glad itworked out.[LNB] [LNB]'I did not worry about missing a few chances. I knew that if I keptgetting in the right positions, the goals would come, and sure enough,they did.' [LNB]After equalising in first-half injury-time through Luciano Becchio,Leeds were in with a chance of emulating their third-round heroicsagainst Manchester United, until Defoe settled the outcome in the dyingseconds.[LNB] Treble top: Defoe claims his hat-trick and secures a place in the last 16 for Spurs[LNB] 'There were three Leeds players offside for their goal, and I think thelinesman was embarrassed when he saw the replay,' added Redknapp. 'Butfair play to Leeds, they are a massive club who belong in the PremierLeague, and their fans created an incredible atmosphere. [LNB]'My horse won earlier on as well, so it's been a decent day. I listenedto the commentary in the team hotel and received a call from thetrainer, and I was quite chuffed about that. [LNB]'Before the game, I heard someone say something about 'southernsofties' not fancying the conditions and not liking the cold weather.You've got to laugh, really. We showed that if you keep passing theball, it doesn't make much difference. I think we did OK.' [LNB]Leeds manager Simon Grayson saluted his players for keeping the tie inthe balance until the last minute of injury time, and said: 'Wecompeted with a top Premier League team, and that is all we could haveasked of them. No-one expected us to win, except perhaps for 33,000Leeds fans inside the ground. We have won at Old Trafford and drawn atWhite Hart Lane, and that is not bad for a League One side.'[LNB] Leeds 1 Tottenham 3: Jermain Defoe hat-trick crushes the hopes of Grayson's upstartsJermaine Beckford class puts him in a different leagueWhat a twit! Mark Bright apologises for going a Bridge too far with John Terry[LNB] [LNB]
