Lennon made the difference, says Spurs boss after 9-1 win

Updated on: 23 November,2009 07:45 AM IST |
AFP |

Jermain Defoe scored five goals as Tottenham Hotspur thrashed Wigan Athletic 9-1 at White Hart Lane yesterday, a record victory for the hosts in the top-flight.

Jermain Defoe scored five goals as Tottenham Hotspur thrashed Wigan Athletic 9-1 at White Hart Lane yesterday, a record victory for the hosts in the top-flight.

Spurs were only 1-0 up at the break, thanks to a goal by Peter Crouch before fellow England striker Defoe ran riot after half-time with Aaron Lennon, an own-goal by Chris Kirkland and Niko Kranjcar's 90th minute effort adding to the North London club's tally.

"I thought we started really bright, we had 25 minutes where we really got off after them in the first half before they came back into it," Redknapp told Sky Sports.

"We came in at half-time and said we had to get back to how we started, pressing them all over the park, and we decided to work them and made the opportunities and took them.

"Their keeper (Chris Kirkland) made some great saves as well.

"Lennon is a fantastic talent, anybody would have had a hard day with him in that sort of form. He deserved that goal at the end."

Speaking about Defoe, Redknapp added: "For Jermain to get five goals was an outstanding performance.

"Yesterday (Saturday) in training he looked so sharp and I felt if he could carry that into the game he would be a real handful.

"You don't get too many nines in the Premier League, it's a bad day for Roberto Martinez but he'll come back even stronger."

Wigan manager Martinez added: "We finished the first half very strongly and looked like a team who were going to dictate things.

"But we have ourselves to blame for the goals we conceded and after that you are climbing a mountain."

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