Tottenham 2 Aston Villa 1

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe scored twice to defeat Aston Villa 2-1 and extend his side's winning streak at White Hart Lane.

Spurs had won their previous 11 home games but a draw, the result of the three previous meetings between these two teams, looked likely until Defoe pounced.

Gareth Barry pulled one back but Spurs held on and were grateful of the partnership Defoe and Dimitar Berbatov have created in the absence of Robbie Keane and Mido.

Berbatov created both goals and could have added to his own tally for the season in a clash which came to life in the second half.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, have not won in eight matches.

Defoe, back for Spurs after missing the defeat at Newcastle with a knee injury, was lively in a first half short on quality.

The England striker was in the action immediately, having shots blocked by Craig Gardner and then Gareth Barry, then later in the opening half dragging an effort wide.

At the other end, Gardner seized on poor control by Michael Dawson to slip the ball through to Gabriel Agbonlahor early on, but Ledley King dashed back to make the tackle.

Agbonlahor's opportunity was a rare sight on goal for either side as both sides struggled to retain the ball.

Passes were a yard or two away from causing danger, and it took 18 minutes for the first save of the match.

Tom Huddlestone, with an eye for the spectacular this season following his goals against Port Vale and Manchester City, tried his luck again from long-range but Gabor Kiraly helped the ball over the crossbar.

Gardner forced Paul Robinson into a save midway through the first half with a long-range drive after Barry had cut in from the left, but the England goalkeeper was not put under too much pressure following his blunder at St James' Park at the weekend.

Berbatov almost took advantage of indecision in the Villa defence but he could only poke straight at Kiraly as the visitors backed away. Aaron Hughes was carried off on a stretcher when he collided with team-mate Olof Mellberg trying to stop the Bulgaria striker. Liam Ridgewell was brought on as a replacement.

Mellberg also needed treatment but played on until the break and helped keep Spurs at bay as they built a little momentum.

The centre-back slid in on Defoe as the striker looked to get a shot away from the edge of the area. Defoe then fired wide after latching on to a deft flick from Berbatov.

Berbatov then had an effort saved by Kiraly after Huddlestone had chipped over the Villa defence to release his team-mate.

Didier Zokora almost found Berbatov with a cross in first-half injury time, but the deadlock remained unbroken at the break.

Mellberg was replaced by Wilfred Bouma at the break, while Stiliyan Petrov was taken off for Isaiah Osbourne.

Milan Baros had a shot blocked by King on the edge of the area, while Osbourne sliced wide from a similar position.

Spurs, however, were ahead in the 58th minute when Berbatov wriggled free in front of the Villa the defence then slid the ball through to Defoe, who finished calmly for his 11th of the season.

Gardner surged forward midway through the second half in search of the equaliser, and Malbranque had to time his tackle perfectly to avert the danger.

Defoe doubled the lead, and his own tally for the day, when he controlled a Berbatov flick-on and lashed in at the near post.

Barry pulled one back with 10 minutes remaining when he held off Dawson and finished past Robinson, but Spurs held on for the spoils.

Defoe could have sealed a hat-trick late on but Kiraly saved. The striker was substituted for the final two minutes.

Jermain Defoe proved the difference as Tottenham extended their White Hart Lane winning streak with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, leaving his manager Martin Jol full of praise for the striker.

Defoe took his tally for the season to 12 with two goals against Villa, one of a number of clubs he has been linked with during more frustrating times for the England international.

Spurs' run of wins at home now stands at 12 too, although a draw looked likely until Defoe's second-half double.

Jol said: 'He was the difference. Simple.

'Jermain was probably the sharpest player this season, that is why he started most of times.

'There was no other option today - Mido was injured and Robbie Keane was injured. Of course he's got a run and I feel that will be the case for other strikers.'

When asked if he would sell Defoe, Jol said: 'Never.'

The Dutchman added: 'Three weeks ago Aston Villa were going for Robbie Keane, yesterday they were going for Jermain Defoe, probably next week they will go for (Dimitar) Berbatov as well so it's probably very expensive!'

Villa have now failed to win in eight matches and boss Martin O'Neill hopes confidence is not draining after a positive start to their season.

'We've got to be careful, the younger players are learning and having to learn pretty quickly,' said O'Neill.

'The goalkeeper has kicked the ball 80 yards, Berbatov has flicked it on and Defoe is in on goal - it's terrific for Tottenham but debilitating for us because if they walked it through us and smashed in a great goal I would hold my hands up. But that was poor.'

When the younger players lose a few games, what you don't want is for them now to go on the field with no confidence. It's a balancing act.

O'Neill is looking to add to his squad when the transfer window opens next month.

He added: 'The squad has been a bit weak. I knew that in August and we were unable to do anything about it at that stage.

'Obviously in January we'll hope to try to do something to give these players a bit of help.'

Newcastle 3 Tottenham 1

Resurgent Newcastle laid down a marker for the second half of the season after staging a first-half blitz to see off Tottenham 3-1.

Manager Glenn Roeder insisted in the run-up to the game that his side should set their sights on European qualification after mounting a concerted fightback in recent weeks.

And after a fifth Barclays Premiership victory in six attempts, his view does not appear too bullish.

Midfielder Kieron Dyer set the tone with a superb third-minute opener, and when #10million striker Obafemi Martins headed home his ninth goal of the season four minutes later, a crowd of 52,079 - the biggest of the season at St James' Park - settled down for thrilling afternoon.

However, Spurs were not about to concede the points and dragged themselves back into the game when Danny Murphy's shot was deflected home by Steven Taylor.

But Scott Parker's 34th-minute header sealed the points with almost an hour still to play to head into the Christmas period brimming with confidence.

Already without the injured Robbie Keane, Martin Jol was dealt another blow after the warm-up when he was forced to withdraw Jermain Defoe and name midfielder Murphy in his place.

The former Liverpool man was to make his mark, but his 15th-minute strike, which was deflected past Shay Given by the helpless Taylor, proved little more than consolation for his side.

Newcastle simply exploded out of the blocks and found themselves 2-0 up with just seven minutes gone.

Dyer, released form the wide midfield role he had filled in the two previous games to play off lone striker Martins, showed once again how dangerous he can be with three minutes gone.

The Nigerian turned Nolberto Solano's clearance into the England midfielder's path and with the Spurs defence backing off, he raced towards goal before beating Paul Robinson with a deft side-footed shot.

It was 2-0 within four minutes when a rickety Tottenham rearguard was breached for the second time, Parker exchanging passes with James Milner before crossing for Martins to head home his sixth Premiership goal in five games.

To their credit, Jol's men regrouped quickly and with the passing and movement of midfield quintet Didier Zokora, Hossam Ghaly, Tom Huddlestone, Steed Malbranque and Murphy causing the Magpies all sorts of problems, they grabbed a lifeline.

Murphy's strike from a Pascal Chimbonda cross was far from clean, but Taylor's touch was and the ball flew past the wrong-footed Given.

However, it was opposite number Robinson who was left red-faced 11 minutes before the break.

He could not hold Milner's free-kick and although he atoned for the error with excellent reaction saves from first Taylor and then Martins, Parker headed the loose ball into the empty net to make it 3-1.

Newcastle returned knowing the job was only half done, and they were served with a reminder of that within three minutes.

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, who had proved a handful in the lone striking role before the break, was no less dangerous after it, and he might have reduced the deficit within three minutes of the restart.

The powerful frontman got himself between Taylor and Peter Ramage to run in on goal, but with Given advancing, he poked his right-foot shot wide of the far post.

Teenage defender Paul Huntington's mishit clearance handed defender Michael Dawson a chance to shoot from close range on 54 minutes, but he made no better contact.

Spurs were pressing and Ramage had to clear hurriedly after Malbranque had crossed towards Berbatov on 59 minutes, and each had penalty appeals rightly waved away in quick succession.

Antoine Sibierski and Mido arrived as replacements for Emre and Zokora respectively with 66 minutes gone as one side looked to consolidate and the other sought a way back into the game.

The Egyptian presented a new challenge for the home defence with makeshift right-back Solano in particular coming under pressure, but his side held firm.

Tottenham were throwing everything they had at the Magpies, but getting little change from a defence comprising three youngsters and a winger.

As the Londoners threw men forward, Newcastle looked to hit them on the break, and it took a good save from Robinson to deny Martins a second goal of the afternoon with 10 minutes remaining.

There was a change in the home goal three minutes from time when crowd favourite Pavel Srnicek, making his first appearance for the club in more than nine years at the age of 38, replaced the injured Given to cap a more than pleasant afternoon for the Toon Army.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder praised his players after seeing them claim a fifth victory in six Barclays Premiership games to set the stage for a new year push.

Goals from Kieron Dyer and Obafemi Martins inside the opening seven minutes left Tottenham gasping for breath.

And, although the visitors pulled a goal back when Steven Taylor deflected Danny Murphy's 15th-minute shot home, Scott Parker made sure with a third 11 minutes before the break.

Roeder said: 'I was pleased with a good result and I was pleased with the performance in parts.

'People need to understand how difficult it was to achieve that result under the circumstances we have been playing under now for the last 10 weeks or so.

'I cannot give the whole squad enough credit because 10 or 12 weeks ago, we were not in a good position and I suppose we were looking over our shoulder.

'Now, we are only looking forward and above us with an aim of reaching as far up the league as we can, come the end of the season.

'We are at the halfway mark. I was demanding that we won today to get to 25 points halfway through the season.

'Where we were at the start of the season with the injuries we have have had to contend with, it is a fantastic achievement because the players recently have had every excuse to buckle under the amount of games and the amount of injuries.

'Footballers in the past have known at times to take any excuse available not to go out and fight for their lives.

'No-one dare accuse this lot of doing that.'

There was a down side for Roeder, however, as keeper Shay Given finally succumbed to a groin injury to hand Pavel Srnicek a first appearance for the club in more than nine years and spark a hurried call to Dutch youngster Tim Krul.

Roeder said: 'We have managed to keep it quiet for a few weeks that Shay has had a slight groin problem.

'It is unbelievable that he could go five seasons without any problems whatsoever and suddenly at Upton Park earlier in the season, he had an injury that is never seen on a football field, it is only ever seen in car crashes.

'We got him back from that, and now he has picked up a groin injury that does not rule him out of the game on Boxing Day yet.

'We will be recalling Tim Krul. He was on a flight to Amsterdam at 4pm this afternoon, and he will probably now only get a chance to have breakfast with his parents tomorrow before getting on a plane back to Newcastle.'

Spurs boss Martin Jol was frustrated, particularly by the second goal, which he felt was offside, but admitted Newcastle's finishing had been the difference.

He said: 'We were 2-0 down after seven minutes and that is exactly what you do not want.

'All credit to them because they played in a very aggressive manner. They were clinical in the centre of the park especially.

'If you are clinical, that is a big advantage, but I felt they did not play better than us.

'They showed us a lot of respect and we could have taken advantage of that.

'Although the score was horrendous, we could have had a better result because we had maybe four or five moments when we could have scored a consolation goal.

'We were not clinical enough.'

The visitors were dealt a major blow before kick-off when striker Jermain Defoe injured himself in the warm-up, and the England international is a doubt for Tuesday's clash with Aston Villa.

Jol said: 'Defoe went out to warm up and he turned and tweaked his knee. We had a big decision to make whether to play him or not.

'He said he could try, but he could have gone on and maybe had to come off after a couple of minutes, and that is not what you want.'

Tottenham 1 Southend 0

Jermain Defoe sent Tottenham into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup but the Premiership side were pushed all the way by Southend at White Hart Lane.

Defoe slid in with five minutes left in extra-time as the visitors sensed another famous upset.

It was harsh on Efetobore Sodje, who was magnificent at centre-back, and goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan, who denied Spurs with a string of saves until Defoe struck.

Spurs clearly took their opposition seriously. Boss Martin Jol showed the visitors respect by selecting a strong side, although he did rest skipper Ledley King.

The bottom side in the Championship had Kevin Maher and Mark Gower, former Tottenham players, in their starting XI and Gower offered a threat on the left in the early exchanges.

Gower's progress at White Hart Lane was hampered with the likes of David Ginola in the side and, with perhaps a point to prove, he looked determined to make an impression.

He whipped in an early cross, had a near-post effort saved by Paul Robinson and late in the first half curved a long-range effort wide of the upright as the underdogs started with energy, as they did in the last round when they defeated Manchester United.

Shrimpers striker Lee Bradbury made his presence felt with his aerial challenges with Michael Dawson, returning from suspension, and the visitors enjoyed their share of possession.

As is the way playing a Premiership side, though, the more established team were a threat with their pace.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto had Spurs' first effort on goal, curling his free-kick around the wall but seeing the effort saved after Steed Malbranque had been tripped by Alan McCormack.

Malbranque had an effort from a similar position, 25 yards out, in the 13th minute but Flahavan saved again.

Spurs were inches away from breaking the deadlock midway through the first half from a move sparked by Danny Murphy playing in Defoe on the left.

The England striker found Mido and his volley smacked against the underside of the bar and away to safety.

Murphy also glanced a header wide while Flahavan, another hero from the United win, was at full stretch when Defoe leapt to meet Assou-Ekotto's cross from the left.

The visitors had been forced into a change in the 25th minute when veteran defender Spencer Prior, who had already taken a knock on his nose, looked to have picked up a groin injury and was replaced by Peter Clarke.

However, they remained a threat going forward and their busy midfielder McCormack was chasing everything in the middle of the park - it eventually earned him a yellow card on the half-hour mark.

They also had sight of goal on the stroke of half-time when Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Freddy Eastwood had efforts blocked on the edge of the area.

Predictably they had to withstand pressure after the break. Flahavan was forced into another save, four minutes into the second period, when Malbranque curled an effort from the edge of the area.

Defoe then came even closer when Sodje, an imposing figure throughout, misjudged a ball over the top but the England striker lobbed wide.

Edgar Davids was brought on for Teemu Tainio in the 52nd minute, and the Dutchman immediately conceded a foul on McCormack, starting a scrappy spell where both sides struggled for fluency.

Murphy, however, forced Flahavan into a save and Malbranque went wide again.

At the other end, Sodje was close with a header from a corner, with Eastwood almost getting on the end of the effort.

Jol then answered the home fans' calls for Dimitar Berbatov to be introduced, and Murphy was taken off.

However, the Bulgaria striker could not break the deadlock as the match headed to extra-time, although there was time for Flahavan to tip over Mido's header in spectacular fashion, while Lewis Hunt survived a handball appeal in the area.

Berbatov, Dawson and Maher came close with extra-time efforts but it was Defoe who grabbed the winner.

In the 115th minute, Malbranque played the ball out to the left and Mido crossed invitingly for Defoe to slide in.

Eastwood could not direct a header when he was under the Spurs bar, and the hosts held on to book their place in Saturday's draw.

Man City 1 Tottenham 2

Tom Huddlestone scored his first Premiership goal as Tottenham survived a spirited second-half fightback to claim their first away league victory of the season by beating Manchester City 2-1.

Huddlestone crashed home a 25th-minute half-volley to add to Calum Davenport's early opener and make a mockery of City's proud unbeaten home record.

But Stuart Pearce's men struck back after their dismal opening spell and Joey Barton's 64th-minute strike at least gave them hope of retaining that proud run of form stretching over eight games.

And they were denied a penalty with five minutes left when Malbranque appeared to bring down Barton in the box, only for referee Rob Styles to wave play-on.

Spurs went close in the 13th minute, when Jermain Defoe's initial effort ricocheted into the path of Berbatov, whose follow-up from a tight angle was booted off the line by Sylvain Distin.

And they finally took a well-deserved lead in the 16th minute when Davenport rose highest to meet Huddlestone's free-kick into the box, and headed the ball home past Nicky Weaver.

Even at that early stage it was evident Barton would be the man to fashion an unlikely City revival, and he fired an audacious long-range effort just over the bar in the 19th minute.

The second goal arrived when Ghaly crossed from the left to find Huddlestone on the edge of the box, and the 19-year-old fired home his first Premiership goal in spectacular style.

City improved in the second half and got one back when Dickov created space down the left and hit a low cross for Barton to steal in at the far post and poke the home side back into the match.

But, although they did have their penalty shout, there was no way back for Stuart Pearce`s men.

Stuart Pearce insisted Manchester City supporters had every right to turn against his side during their dismal first-half performance in today's 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham.

One furious fan sought to scale the barrier behind the City dugout and confront Pearce after the visitors' second goal before he was led away down the touchline by police.

Calum Davenport and Tom Huddlestone swept the visitors into an early lead over abject City who restored some pride by mounting a second-half comeback through Joey Barton.

Pearce said: 'People pay good money to come here and I was frustrated as well. If I was in his position I would have come down and vented my frustration at the manager.

'The performance of the team dictated people's reaction and rightly so today. The team were very very poor for 45 minutes, but for the next 45 minutes I didn't hear anyone venting their frustration.'

Tottenham's first Barclays Premiership away win of the season also ended City's proud home unbeaten record at their City of Manchester Stadium.

And Pearce made no excuses for his side's poor start, admitting: 'In general right over the pitch we afforded them far too much respect. At half-time I was pleased it was only 2-0 the way things were going.

'In the second half we rolled our sleeves up when maybe it would have been easier to go under. And at the end of 90 minutes maybe we deserved to get something out of it.'

Pearce was further frustrated by referee Rob Styles' decision not to award City a penalty with five minutes remaining after Barton appeared to be brought down by Steed Malbranque in the box.

Pearce said: 'He (Malbranque) has got none of the ball and trod on his foot. The referee said he thought it was a penalty but the linesman didn't flag so he didn't give it.'

Tottenham boss Martin Jol insisted 19-year-old Huddlestone has got what it takes to succeed at the highest level after his match-winning performance bumped his side up to seventh place.

Huddlestone set up Davenport's 16th minute opener before crashing home his first ever Barclays Premiership goal with a fine half-volley from the edge of the box.

Jol said: 'Tom does not show lack of ambition because he wants to be the best all the time and that is a good characteristic. He is developing and growing.

'He is really experienced because he played over 100 games for Derby before he was 18. I told him before the start of the season he would play a lot of matches for us this season.'

The only sour note for Jol was in his side's inability to put the game out of sight by the break with Huddlestone again and Dimitar Berbatov both spurning good chances.

Jol added: 'The problem is if you make it 3-0 you think it will be all over but 2-0 is never enough and I think they showed that by scoring with more than half an hour still to go.

'We have played a lot more matches recently and they have not, so I knew in the first half we would have to score three goals. In the end it was enough but we made it difficult for ourselves.'

Tottenham 3 Dinamo Bucuresti 1

Jermain Defoe struck twice against Dinamo Bucharest at White Hart Lane as Tottenham secured top place in their UEFA Cup group following their 3-1 victory.

Defoe struck either side of the interval, while Dimitar Berbatov maintained his goalscoring streak with the opener as Spurs completed their 10th straight win at home.

Spurs had qualified for the knockout stages but were looking for a point to secure top place in Group B and a favourable draw for the next round - and from kick-off they never appeared content with a draw.

The visitors, who were without influential striker Claudiu Niculescu, never got a foothold in the game and Jean-Philippe Mendy's injury-time goal was of little consolation.

Dinamo too had already qualified for the next round, which is in February, and will now face a team dropping out of the Champions League.

They were immediately on the back foot. Hossam Ghaly, returning to the starting XI, set up early chances for Defoe and Berbatov which were both wasted, while Tom Huddlestone drilled an effort after three minutes which goalkeeper Uladzimir Hayeu tipped around the post.

Even defensive midfielder Didier Zokora surged forward to set up attacks, the Ivory Coast international available despite being currently suspended for domestic games.

However, it was Berbatov's quick thinking which gave Spurs the lead in the 17th minute.

The Bulgarian had seen his weak effort saved by Hayeu but then stayed alert to intercept the goalkeeper's throw and lashed into the top corner.

Berbatov has previously stated he wants to emulate Jurgen Klinsmann's impact at White Hart Lane, but he may be able to succeed where the German failed if he helps bring silverware to the club.

It was the former Bayer Leverkusen player's 10th goal of the season and his fifth in the UEFA Cup, the trophy Spurs won in 1972 and 1984.

Defoe almost doubled the lead two minutes after the opener but his effort from the edge of the area struck the bar, while the Romanians offered some threat soon after when Paul Robinson had to save from Adrian Cristea then Catalin Munteanu.

But Spurs continued to press and Huddlestone had a long-range drive blocked by team-mate Aaron Lennon, while Ghaly's low effort was saved by Hayeu.

Defoe, however, doubled the lead when he collected the ball from Robinson in the 39th minute, danced around Stefan Radu before showing his pace and cool head with his finish.

It was Defoe's seventh in seven starts, form which eases the blow of losing Robbie Keane to a knee injury as Spurs' busy Christmas period approaches.

Defoe extended the lead five minutes into the second half, tapping in after Ghaly was found by Berbatov and the ball broke for the England striker to roll home.

Berbatov could have added to the visitors' embarrassment but fired just wide shortly after.

Dorin Mihut's drive was held by Robinson, but it was a rare attack from a team who look set to wrap up the Romanian league with ease.

Hayeu was forced to punch Zokora's long-range drive away just after the hour, while Huddlestone fired over from a similar position soon after.

The England Under-21 midfielder came even closer in the 65th minute with a drive which had the Spurs bench on their feet.

Spurs skipper Ledley King was rested for the final 23 minutes, with Calum Davenport coming on, while Huddlestone received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Steed Malbranque.

There was time for Benoit Assou-Ekotto to hit the woodwork, while Paul Stalteri was brought on for his first appearance since a knee injury.

Substitute Mendy pulled a goal back in injury-time with a cool finish but the game had been wrapped up long before he struck.

Tottenham 5 Charlton 1

Dimitar Berbatov scored the first and last goals as Tottenham opened the floodgates to thrash relegation-threatened Charlton 5-1 at White Hart Lane.

Teemu Tainio, Steed Malbranque and Jermain Defoe also scored for Spurs, who extended their run of wins at home to nine and revived hopes of challenging for a Champions League place.

Michael Dawson's own goal was the only reply from the visitors, who are still without a Premiership away victory and failed in their bid for back-to-back wins which would have given them hope in their battle to get out of the bottom three.

Defoe's goal was particularly sweet as he was jeered by away fans throughout for his move from Charlton to West Ham as a teenager.

With Robbie Keane injured, Defoe's sixth in six starts offers plenty of options in attack now Mido is back fit and Berbatov is in his rich vein of form.

They also have England winger Aaron Lennon, who was at the heart of Spurs' attacking threat and shifted across midfield, playing on either flank and through the middle to devastating effect.

However, it was Spurs' first Saturday game at White Hart Lane since the defeat to Everton in August, and initially there was a lack of edge that normally comes with their evening clashes.

Despite this, Dawson was booked early on for a slide on Charlton lone-striker Darren Bent, while Bryan Hughes also received a yellow card, in the 11th minute, when he prevented Lennon breaking forward.

Amady Faye, who had already unsuccessfully tried his luck from long distance, had the first meaningful effort on goal when he fizzed a volley just wide after Spurs failed to clear the ball, but clear-cut chances were difficult to come by.

Dawson had a penalty appeal waved away by Mike Dean after 25 minutes when he broke forward, collected the rebound from his own cross, and went down under the challenge of Faye in the area.

Lennon had switched to the left flank and it sparked Spurs into life, with their first spell of pressure in the match resulting in the opener.

Tom Huddlestone slid the ball to the England winger on the half-hour mark, and he turned and flicked through to Berbatov to score his eighth of the season.

Spurs doubled the lead three minutes later when Lennon's cross was cleared and fell to Tainio, returning to the side to replace suspended midfielder Didier Zokora, whose drive took a slight deflection to wrong-foot Scott Carson.

Looking comfortable to extend their winning run at White Hart Lane, the hosts were then caught on the counter attack when Andy Reid, the former Spurs winger who moved to Charlton in the summer, helped pull a goal back.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder, who shifted from the left to the middle since his move, broke through Tainio's tackle and surged forward with four minutes left in the half.

Reid's low cross looped over Paul Robinson off Dawson, handing Charlton hope in their search for an opening away win in the Premiership this season.

There was still time in the first half for Lennon to be brought down on the edge of the area - Spurs thought they had a shout for a penalty - and Defoe had his free-kick deflected wide.

Defoe had two efforts early in the second half too, but neither troubled Carson.

In the 53rd minute Charlton took off Radostin Kishishev for Dennis Rommedahl to give the visitors more of an attacking threat, but Spurs restored their two-goal cushion within a minute.

Berbatov nodded a floated cross back into the path of Malbranque on the edge of the area and he took a touch before volleying firmly past Carson for his first goal in Tottenham colours.

Defoe extended the lead in the 63rd minute after Hughes stayed on the ball and Lennon stepped in. The ball broke to Defoe, who lashed past Carson.

Berbatov made it 5-1 two minutes later, collecting Robinson's throw, getting a fortunate deflection off Faye before rifling past Carson.

Martin Jol hailed the versatility of Aaron Lennon as Tottenham swept aside hapless Charlton with a 5-1 victory in their Barclays Premiership clash at White Hart Lane.

Lennon was not on the scoresheet as Spurs recorded their ninth successive win at home, but he had a hand in most of their attacks against the relegation-threatened Addicks.

Dimitar Berbatov scored the first and final goals, Jermain Defoe, Steed Malbranque and Teemu Tainio also netted, while Michael Dawson's own goal was the only reply from the visitors.

But Lennon's performance caught the eye, starting with setting up Berbatov for the opener on the half-hour mark.

Jol said: 'It was very good, he played on the flank and couldn't get the ball and (Amady) Faye was spare in midfield. But I know Aaron can play on the left, in the hole and on the right.

'He put them under pressure with his dribbling and it's good for his confidence as well that he knows he can play anywhere.

'He can even develop as a second striker but, if you have a winger like him, it's a big plus.'

Martin Jol said about Berbatov'Normally, a foreign player takes four, five or six months and I'm still convinced its not easy for him and other foreign players,' Jol added. 'But, sometimes, to go forward you have to take a step back and I'm very happy with their development.

'If he scores 20 goals, we'll be happy with him and he's scored nine now. Jermain Defoe could do that.'

The victory puts Spurs back in the shake-up for the Champions League place they just missed out on last season.

They have lost only twice in 17 matches, with Jol adding: 'I feel we are more consistent than people give us credit for. I think every other team besides the top two would be satisfied with those results.

'Last year, we were the best of the rest. At Spurs, the expectancy levels are always high because our home record is very good.'

He added: 'I feel we can be in the top four in the next two years.'

Charlton boss Les Reed held a 'frank' discussion with his players in the dressing room after the match.

'I think we caused them one or two problems to the extent that they changed their shape,' Reed said.

'When the first goal went in, we lost our discipline and losing two goals in a short space of time was difficult to come back from.

'We got a lifeline going in 2-1 at half-time and I was confident that, if we put a few things right, we'd have a chance.

'I think some players tried too hard and did things out of character. Some of the boys tried to get us back in the game and we were punished.'

He added: 'We've had an honest discussion in the changing room. Almost everybody in the team has contributed to it.

'We've had to leave the dressing room with the commitment of what needs to be done to put things right. It was frank and earnest but the consensus was we're good enough to get ourselves out of it.'

He added: 'We've got to show character.

'If we're bottom at Christmas, we're not going to throw the towel in.'

魔咒！最受好评、最上镜……统统出局

2006年12月1日

还是无法摆脱高分魔咒，无论是最受评审青睐还是高分的参赛者，统统出局！李何菁、汤灵伊、谢子伟以及吴幸荣笑着下台；其他参赛者却泣不成声…

邓永君 报道

绝对SuperStar，有你没有他！
昨天晚上（11月30日）绝对第二场复赛，李何菁、汤灵伊、谢子伟以及吴幸荣被淘汰出局。

残忍的比赛法则，是不变的定律。

有人不断进步，有人中途离开。他们离开了，还是有梦。

被淘汰的参赛者站在台上，用微笑为比赛画下句点。晋级的参赛者和支持者却泪流满面。比赛啊，不是表面看到的这么简单，同甘共苦的“革命情感”，不足为外人道。只有一起努力过，才了解个中酸甜苦辣。

汤灵伊 - 魔咒再次发功！

汤灵伊表现出色，评判给她37分，观众判她出局！她的得分为全场第二高，跟上周被淘汰的杨雪妮同分！

汤灵伊的表演赢得评判的称许，酷酷的评判许环良坦言她的舞台魅力令他心跳加速，无奈却无法让观众打电话投票的手加快。可惜啊。

汤灵伊是昨晚第一个被判出局的参赛者。成绩揭晓后，她全程保持微笑；刘若雯在台下不停地抽搭，比汤灵伊更难过。汤灵伊还笑着叫在现场的妈妈不要哭。

主持人权怡凤一再追问，第一关就被“震”出局，是否感到可惜？汤灵伊依然微笑：“可惜是有啦，但是没有遗憾。”

“我今年才19岁，不会因为这次失败而放弃音乐。”这是汤灵伊给自己打气的方式。输了比赛，赢了风度。这位19岁的少女，展现出超龄的EQ与风范。

* 注：汤灵伊的人缘非常好，她出局之后，刘若雯、孙文海等参赛者都在各自的“绝对博客”写下他们的惋惜。（到“绝对博客”）

李何菁

本身不是新加坡人，家人朋友都不在这里，人气不足，是否造成她早早出局的原因？

李何菁从初赛以来都被公认为最有“Camera face”的参赛者，可惜音色平平，实力不够，评判只给她27分。评审黎沸挥还说：“有姿色没有音色，就是逊色。”今天早上接受本网站访问时，被问及是否因为长相而入选24强？李何菁笑答：“哈哈，可能啊。”

歌场失意，李何菁或许可以转战电视圈，搞不好可以闯出一个春天来。李何菁说：“嗯，我还是比较喜欢唱歌啦……不过，如果有机会可以演戏，我也想试试看。”

谢子伟

谢子伟得分31.5，算是不错的分数。评审黎沸挥也说喜欢他的声音。而许环良却说：“如果闭着眼睛听的话，感觉会更好……”说到底，他的外型不及格？

成绩揭晓后，谢子伟尽量豁达面对，不断地挤出笑容。但是当他看到自己在告别片段里面感谢妈妈（谢子伟的妈妈在几年前就过世了）的画面，眼泪开始决堤。而，站在后面“存活”的蔡伟建则已经哭成泪人了。谢子伟是陈铿百和官镜瀚的“同门”，在黎沸挥的音乐学院学唱歌。现在，谢子伟出局了，只剩下陈铿百和官镜瀚一起奋斗。

谢子伟认为自己出局的最大因素是：人气不足！今天早上，谢子伟接受本网站访问时，说：“当我看到制作单位把我们三个人（蔡伟建、张乐声）排在一起的时候，我就知道自己会出局了。（可是，你的分数比他们都高啊……）是啊，我的分数比他们高，但是他们的粉丝很多。”

吴幸荣

吴幸荣获得31分，当他和陈铿百以及陈世维一同站在舞台上等候成绩时，要数他的笑容最“灿烂”。成绩公布后，第一个哭泣的就是站在他旁边的陈铿百。吴幸荣的笑容也开始变得僵硬；神情落寞，但他仍然正面面对出局。坐在后面的支持者个个掩面哭泣，场面感人。“我已经有预感是我会出的啦。（为什么？）因为，铿百和世维有很多支持者。我站在台上的时候，心里还一直想：‘爆冷！爆冷！’哈哈……没想到，立刻就听到宣布我的名字了。哈哈……”有人在【绝对】官方网站上留言，指吴幸荣被身边有个很有钱的女朋友，还说他是“小白脸”。吴幸荣不否认这样的负面留言影响了票数，导致他被淘汰。

他失笑：“如果我有一个有钱女朋友，我就不会坐在这里了，对吗?!”吴幸荣原本在一家高级服饰店上班；之前他为了比赛，而把将工作辞了。出局之后，他将休息一下，再继续冲刺，找新的工作。

高分魔咒：黄仕昱、杨雪妮出局！

第二届【绝对SuperStar】第一场复赛，重演上届结果，获得评判青睐、全场最高分的黄仕昱、杨雪妮，出师不利，第一场就出局，“高分魔咒”似乎又卷土重来！面对落败，他们有话说…

蓝燕芳、李诗敏报道

昨晚（11月23日）深夜11时30分揭晓本届【绝对】第一场复赛结果，赛果跟上届第一场复赛一样，得分最高的参赛者惨遭淘汰！

昨晚出局的4人是：黄仕昱、杨雪妮、林道文和杨艳宜。其中黄仕昱、杨雪妮各得33分和37分，分别是男女组分数最高的。这将是他们的【绝对】终点站，因为在第一场复赛就被淘汰是无法参加之后举行的翻身赛的。

或许因为是第一个出局，杨艳宜一时无法接受，泪如泉涌，几乎泣不成声。杨雪妮则头到尾表情木然。黄仕昱在台上强忍泪水，到了台下跟参赛者拥抱时却忍不住流下泪来…其他参赛者（尤其是黄川美）更是哭得不停抽搐…

当主持人宣布最后一个被淘汰的是“黄仕昱”时，还引起不小的震惊。黄仕昱赛前备受瞩目，他是上届【才华】决赛新秀（跟陈凤玲同一届）、也曾是新传媒签约艺人、主持过节目、唱过电视剧主题曲。

早在比赛开始前，就有网友争论说，黄仕昱曾经是艺人，早就有一批粉丝支持，他的参赛对其他新人很不公平。昨晚比赛时，评审认为黄仕昱唱得不错、外型不错，也给了他男子组中的最高分。没想到，竟然第一关也过不了…

上届比赛中，在第一场复赛被淘汰的就有Sugianto潘嗣敬、杨子文、陈靖颖和陈家欣(见详）以及蔡义伟、戴爱玲、卓慧玲和陈耀榕（见详）。其中，陈家欣和陈耀榕都是评判眼里最会唱的，得分最高。

今早(11月24日)，黄仕昱、杨雪妮、林道文和杨艳宜来到新传媒接受【绝对SuperStar】官方网站的专访。4人看来神情黯然、精神憔悴，显然一夜没睡。


杨雪妮－早知道就不耍酷！

对于自己高分被淘汰，杨雪妮说，相信是因为自己刻意耍酷，结果形象变得很冷，不讨好。她说，最近自己也察觉到这一点，还在想要设法改进，没想到，却已经来不及了…

杨雪妮今早顶着黑眼圈受访时，强颜欢笑。她说，因为有工作人员的提醒，她发觉自己刻意摆出酷模样，不但无法耍帅，还会给人一种“太拽”的感觉。“之前耍酷，只是要掩饰自己的恐惧和不安…唉，这是个很好的教训，我会记住的，做自己就好，不要刻意摆姿态。”雪妮很感慨地说。
唱得最好、分数最高，还落败…是因为朋友的电话支持不够？会对朋友失望吗？

“朋友能做的有限，我想主要还是因为自己观众缘不够，没办法吸引到其他观众的支持吧。”

雪妮昨晚成绩揭晓后，和朋友去马里士它路吃有名的肉骨茶。“哈，我破了戒，本来应该是在节食减肥的…但我觉得吃宵夜是一个很好的疏解方法。之后，还去找朋友诉苦到今早4点多才回家，之后上网答谢一些朋友、梳洗一番到早上6点才睡。”

之前为了参赛辞掉了人事部职员的工作。雪妮说，下个星期会开始寻找另一个梦想－当导演！（雪妮曾经在制作公司当过剪辑师）
“饭碗，还是要顾的啦…”雪妮苦笑。

黄仕昱－不好意思拉票！

听到是自己被淘汰，在台上的黄仕昱楞了一下，才回过神来，与另外两位男生拥抱。仕昱一提到爷爷奶奶也来现场支持他，眼眶泛红…

之前备受看好，比赛当晚又获得评审最高分，竟然第一圈就落败…
“我也觉得蛮惊讶的…但是我已经把我最好的呈现出来了，可能是因为电话通数不够吧…我是到最后才开始拉票的，之前一直不好意思叫朋友打电话；尤其是家人，我不想让他们花太多钱。”

之前参加过【才华横溢出新秀】、当过艺人，现在【绝对】落败，有什么打算？

“我会把时间和精神都放在学业上，因为大学的考试快来了。很期待12月的来临，因为可以跟朋友去度假屋玩。音乐方面，我会继续写些新的歌曲。”

林道文－还没玩够就OUT了…

笑容可爱（但也有人说是“装可爱”）的林道文，一直脸带微笑，却难掩疲态。他觉得自己比赛当晚太紧张，不小心挡住麦克风的收音，歌没唱好才会出局。

“而且比起其他参赛者，我的朋友没那么多。已经有心理准备会出局了，所以打击没那么大…只是我觉得太快了，还没玩够就Out了。”

杨艳宜－喉咙发炎、心里有数…

嗓音低沉、外型冷艳的杨艳宜，在女生中特别出位。没想到也这么快“玩完”！

“其实我在比赛前都没有真正接受过训练，一直都用错的方法唱歌，比赛时喉咙也发炎了…而且我也不大会拉票，所以早就心里有数了…”

昨晚艳宜和家人、干妈去吃粥，之后再去Pub与朋友会面。起初觉得很没面子不想去，但最后还是被朋友说服了。

艳宜是否打算再接再厉，参加其他比赛？

“没有必要吧，算是很大规模的【绝对SuperStar】 比赛都进了24强，我想没必要参加其他的比赛了。我希望能够做多一些幕前的工作。”

上海自來水來自海上

“ 上海自來水來自海上 ”（ 順著唸跟倒著唸都一樣 ）

不過現在已經不算什麼了。 以下這個才是超強 !

這是一首丈夫寫給獨守閨房的妻子的詩 :

枯眼望遙山隔水，往來曾見幾心知；
壺空怕酌一杯酒，筆下難成和韻詩。
途路阻人離別久，訊音無雁寄回遲；
孤燈花守長寥寂，夫憶妻兮父憶兒。

有沒有發現一件事 ?

從後面一個字一個字唸回來 變成妻子憶夫的詩 :

兒憶父兮妻憶夫，寂寥長守花燈孤；
遲回寄雁無音訊，久別離人阻路途。
詩韻和成難下筆，酒杯一酌怕空壺；
知心幾見曾來往，水隔山遙望眼枯。

漢文字 實在是太美了 !

Tottenham 2 Middlesbrough 1

Robbie Keane came off the bench to rescue Tottenham, after Middlesbrough almost snatched a point in a bad-tempered Premiership clash at White Hart Lane.

Keane fired home from long range in the 84th minute, just after coming on to chase the game.

Robert Huth had cancelled out Dimitar Berbatov's spectacular opener just after the break, giving Boro hope of an unlikely point after Mark Schwarzer had kept them in the game.

Didier Zokora and George Boateng were dismissed following a melee on the touchline, as the match ended with an intensity it had lacked in the opening half.

It meant Spurs extended their winning streak at White Hart Lane to eight matches, while Boro are yet to record a Premiership away win this season.

With the form favouring a home win, Lee Young-Pyo and Zokora fashioned the first shots on goal - both from long distance - but neither troubled Schwarzer.

Jermain Defoe, who had scored five goals in his previous four starts, went a little closer in the 15th minute with a free-kick which just cleared the bar.

The England striker was Spurs' main source of threat in the first half, next forcing a save from Schwarzer with a dipping drive after Berbatov had slid the ball to him on the edge of the area.

Berbatov had a tame penalty appeal waved away by referee Mark Halsey as Huth challenged. The German defender also blocked a Zokora run following a surging run, and Emanuel Pogatetz was able to clear as Defoe closed in on an open goal.

Stewart Downing, previously linked with a move to Spurs, had a long-range effort deflected for a corner just after the half-hour mark - Lee Cattermole failing to connect with a shot across goal from the set-piece.

Corners were proving difficult for Spurs to defend, and Pogatetz headed just wide under the challenge of full-back Pascal Chimbonda.

Steed Malbranque had a sight of goal at the other end, but Boateng dispossessed the French midfielder at the decisive moment.

Jonathan Woodgate then timed a tackle to perfection on Aaron Lennon with eight minutes left in the half when the winger was released down the left.

Defoe shot over from a similar position and then almost wriggled through on goal just before the break - but Pogatetz made a timely intervention, with Tom Huddlestone's volley then forcing Schwarzer to tip over when the ball broke to him.

Huddlestone broke through two challenges and fired wide with a minute remaining in the half.

After finishing the first half strongly, Spurs were ahead within three minutes of the restart through Berbatov.

Huddlestone floated a free-kick to the far post, where Chimbonda headed back into the danger-zone, and the Bulgaria striker's volley dipped over Schwarzer's dive.

Defoe could have doubled the lead in the 55th minute after Zokora played him through - only for Woodgate to dash back and time his tackle.

Chimbonda then had a clearer opportunity when Defoe chipped a free-kick to the far post, but the full-back fired wide when he had plenty of time to control.

Mark Viduka was brought on for Boro for the last third of the game, replacing Cattermole, and the Australia striker added presence to the visitors' attack.

Huth forced Paul Robinson to beat away a free-kick - the England stopper's first save of the match - and half-time substitute James Morrison then fired wide when the ball broke to him.

At the other end, Lennon curled an effort over after Berbatov and Defoe had combined again to find their winger in space.

Lennon then released Defoe with a delicate reverse ball - but Defoe was denied by Schwarzer again,.

Boro were level with 11 minutes remaining.

Woodgate had a header cleared off the line by Malbranque, and Huth thundered home a volley after Pogatetz nodded in his direction.

But Spurs were back in front with seven minutes left when Huddlestone tapped a free-kick to Keane, who had just come on for Malbranque.

The Republic of Ireland striker, brought on straight after the goal, fired home with a powerful drive which Schwarzer got a hand to but could not keep out.

Boateng and Zokora were sent off with three minutes left after a brawl on the touchline sparked when the Boro midfielder was challenged by Lennon.

Keane was helped off injured, and Spurs held on for victory.

Tottenham boss Martin Jol felt his side gave the perfect response to defeat at Arsenal with their late win against Middlesbrough in a bad-tempered Premiership clash at White Hart Lane.

Robbie Keane grabbed the winner for Spurs - extending their winning run at home to eight matches - before Didier Zokora and George Boateng were dismissed for an ugly confrontation with two minutes remaining.

Dimitar Berbatov had given the hosts the lead just after the break but Robert Huth levelled in the 80th minute, before Keane came off the bench to seal the points with a long-range drive.

After losing 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Jol was pleased with how his players reacted.

'If you win a game after a defeat like that it is exactly what you have to do,' the Dutchman said.

'They came for a point, we showed the fans we wanted to work hard but we did not do that against Arsenal.

'The only thing we could do was have a good performance and win because we wanted to be in the top half of the table and we have six home games in the next eight.

'We gave everyone a good answer.'

After a poor opening half, in which Jermain Defoe wasted the better opportunities, Berbatov volleyed home three minutes after the restart when Pascal Chimbonda nodded Tom Huddlestone's free-kick into the Bulgarian's path.

Huth thumped home the leveller when Spurs failed to clear a corner, with Keane then brought on to chase the game.

The Republic of Ireland striker lashed in from 25 yards after Huddlestone had tapped a free-kick to him with six minutes remaining.

Keane was then taken off before the final whistle and faces a scan on his knee.

'Hopefully he's okay,' his manager added.

The dismissals after 88 minutes came after Aaron Lennon had fouled Boateng, and both managers defended their sent-off players.

'The only thing I can say is that they know never to start a fight because they are disciplined,' said Jol, who will look at a replay of the incident before deciding whether to appeal.

'Zokora wanted to prevent a fight.'

Boro boss Gareth Southgate said: 'I've seen it on a replay, the problem he has is that he raises his hand but he raises his hand to protect himself, so we will ask the referee to look at it.'

Southgate went into the the game having been told of Manchester United's counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson's recent comments, calling the rookie manager 'naive' for accusing Cristiano Ronaldo of diving at the weekend.

'He is defending his player and I wouldn't expect anything else, I'm the same with my team,' responded Southgate.

'I said what I said at the time and that's finished.'

The Boro boss was disappointed his side could not hold on for the point, adding: 'We got ourselves in a position to get something from the game and we switched off - it is that attention to detail which is costing us.

'We worked so hard to get back into it and shot ourselves in the foot.

'In terms of endeavour and commitment they couldn't have given me any more.'

Arsenal 3 Tottenham 0

Arsenal convincingly won the first north London derby at the Emirates Stadium 3-0 against Tottenham even without injured skipper Thierry Henry.

Gilberto, standing in as captain, scored in each half from the penalty spot after Emmanuel Adebayor, leading the attack in Henry's absence, opened the scoring.

Adebayor ran straight to the dug-out after breaking the deadlock and celebrated with Henry, who earlier in the day denied a rift with boss Arsene Wenger after a neck injury prevented him from playing.

France striker Henry was in the tunnel prior to kick-off, offering words of encouragement to his team-mates before taking his seat.

Even without their talisman, Arsenal looked purposeful early on and had a tame penalty appeal turned down by referee Graham Poll when Freddie Ljungberg went over in the area following a challenge from Michael Dawson.

The hosts thought they should have had a free-kick on the edge of the area in the eighth minute when Robin van Persie went tumbling after a Ledley King challenge, but referee Graham Poll rejected their appeals.

Spurs fashioned their first chance in the 11th minute when Steed Malbranque sliced wide, while Dimitar Berbatov was harshly ruled offside three minutes later.

But the Gunners edged ahead in the 20th minute after Kolo Toure lofted the ball forward and Adebayor was played onside by Spurs full-back Pascal Chimbonda, the Togo striker going on to slot past England keeper Paul Robinson.

Ljungberg had the chance to double the lead two minutes later but volleyed over from a tight angle, before Didier Zokora needed to make a timely challenge on Cesc Fabregas from a similar position.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto was yellow-carded just after the half-hour mark for a trip on Ljungberg, but Van Persie curled the set-piece just wide.

Adebayor fired a weak shot at Robinson and was penalised for a foul on King five minutes before the break when it appeared the centre-back had merely lost his footing.

Arsenal controversially moved 2-0 ahead from Gilberto's first penalty after Chimbonda was adjudged to have brought down Tomas Rosicky in the 41st minute, although the French full-back appeared to get the slightest touch on the ball with his tackle.

Spurs brought on Jermaine Jenas for Malbranque at the break, while Assou-Ekotto was replaced by Lee Young-Pyo.

But the Gunners remained the likeliest side to score next, Rosicky finding space at the far post, only for Emmanuel Eboue to overhit his cross from the right.

Rosicky, however, suffered an injury in the 55th minute and was replaced by Alexander Hleb, with goalkeeper Jens Lehmann fumbling a cross from Lee when his side were down to 10 men.

Chimbonda angered Ljungberg by tapping the midfielder's boots after a challenge as the intensity of the derby was maintained despite Arsenal's dominance.

Jenas forced a hurried save from Lehmann with a swerving shot and Aaron Lennon's follow-up effort was blocked by Toure.

But Gilberto extended the Gunners' lead in the 72nd minute, this time sending Robinson the wrong way with his spot-kick, after Jenas had hauled down Van Persie in the area and was booked.

Arsenal stand-in captain Gilberto believes the 3-0 derby victory over north London rivals Tottenham will give his side confidence ahead of a tough week.

The Gunners take on Porto in midweek and then Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea on Sunday.

'It is very special for us. We knew today was a question of the result, no matter how,' Gilberto told Sky PremPlus after his penalty brace and a goal from Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor sealed the win.

'I was very confident because I have been taking penalties in training.

'(The win) means a lot for us, we have important games ahead but when we win a tough match like this it gives us a lot of confidence.'

Adebayor celebrated his goal with Thierry Henry, who was out of the side because of a neck problem.

'I was very hungry to play today, they had confidence in me and I'm proud to score,' he said.

'Thierry asked me to score for him. We are very happy with the win.'