Tottenham Hotspur Football Club News

• Nickname:Spurs
• Founded:1882
• Manager:Harry Redknapp

• Ground:White Hart Lane
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Jol stands by Defoe

23 Oct 2006 - 13:16:50

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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Martin Jol played down Jermain Defoe's bite on West Ham midfielder Javier Mascherano during Spurs' 1-0 win at White Hart Lane.

Defoe reacted angrily to a challenge from the Argentina international and bit him on the arm as the two players fell to the floor.

Bizarrely, Dutchman Jol felt Defoe was being playful, as he said: "He was nibbling his arm, there will be no mark. Ask Mascherano if he has got a mark.

"It is part of the game. They kicked him three times from behind in ten minutes and he wanted to show his frustration in a nice, comical way."

Hammers boss Alan Pardew was less impressed, adding: "Mascherano brought him down from behind and that was definitely a booking.

"I didn't quite see the reaction from Jermain, but it looked like he gestured towards Mascherano, but whether there was any contact I don't know.

"In today's game he could have gone. If he was sent off there, it would have changed the game."