Villas- Boas hails Euro star Defoe

TOTTENHAM boss Andre VillasBoas heaped praise on Jermain Defoe after the striker equalled Martin Chivers’ club record of 22 European goals last night.

The 31- year- old’s slightly deflected effort helped to secure a hard- fought 2- 0 win at Sheriff Tiraspol, putting Spurs on the cusp of qualification to the Europa League knockout stages.

Villas- Boas, with three wins out of three at the top of Group K, was full of praise, saying: “It is some achievement. If we continue like this, there is a big chance he will break the record.

“It will be another great achievement for him. I am sure he will achieve it – it will be a great record for him and the club.

“It was another great performance by Jermain.”

Defoe’s strike came just at the right time for Spurs, as the hosts were seriously threatening to level.

Jan Vertonghen gave Spurs a 12th- minute lead, but fellow defender Vlad Chiriches was forced to make a stunning block at full stretch to prevent Henrique levelling moments later.

Cadu had a goal disallowed and both Ismail Isa and Richardinho came as Sheriff pushed for a leveller, only for Defoe to strike home shortly after Aaron Lennon had struck the post.

“They had some great opportunities on the counterattack,” Villas- Boas said. “I think in the counter- attack, you have to recognise that they were excellent.

“The game could have easily gone to 1- 1 as after we scored they had so many chances to level the score.

“They looked good on the counter- attack, had some great moments and we have to recognise that. It is difficult to say, given the amount of chances.

“A draw would be a fair result, but the second goal is always important in games like so this, so both teams were creating.

“We were fortunate to get the second goal to kill the game, but it could have gone the other way.”

Spurs could have secured their place in the last 32, but Anzhi’s 1- 0 defeat of Tromso means they will have to wait for Sheriff’s trip to White Hart Lane on November 7.

“It was not easy,” Villas- Boas added. “In general, we did enough to win the game and get to nine points.”