Five-star Defoe helps Spurs put 9 past Wigan
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Jermain Defoe scored five goals as Tottenham Hotspur thrashed Wigan Athletic 9-1 at White Hart Lane on Sunday, a record victory for the hosts in the top-flight.
After Peter Crouch had given Spurs a ninth-minute lead, Defoe took over with three strikes between the 51st and 58th minutes as Spurs went on to tie Manchester United's Premier League record nine goals in a 9-0 victory over Ipswich in March 1995.
Aaron Lennon scored Spurs fifth, Defoe netted again in the 69th and 87th. Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland scored an own goal and Niko Kranjcar added another in the final minute.
Paul Scharner replied for Wigan when Spurs were already three goals up and the Austrian appeared to control the ball with his hands before scoring.
Defoe tied the Premier League record for most goals in a game, matching Alan Shearer's five for Newcastle against Sheffield Wednesday in Sept 1999 and Andy Cole for United in the game against Ipswich.
"It did cross my mind whether I was going to get another (hat-trick). I had another good chance but you can't complain getting five goals," Defoe said.
"Even if you just win games it brings confidence but to score nine goals in one game is fantastic for everyone."
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp paid tribute to his strikers.
"You don't get too many nines in the Premier League," Redknapp said.
"In the second half we took some great goals and their keeper made some great saves as well. I knew Defoe would be a real handful today but all the strikers have been in great form."
Tottenham moved level on points with third-placed north London neighbor, Arsenal, behind Chelsea and Manchester United who all played on Saturday. Chelsea outplayed Wolves 4-0 to stay five points clear at the top of the standings and Man United beat Everton 3-0 to capture second place from Arsenal who lost 1-0 at Sunderland.
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