• Reading 1-3 Tottenham, Premier League

Defoe's double gives Villas-Boas respite

Jermain Defoe was crucial to Spurs' win © PA Photos

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Two goals from the lively Jermain Defoe proved decisive as Andre Villas-Boas claimed his first league win as Tottenham boss with a 3-1 defeat of Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

In a game where Reading's suspect defending presented the visitors with a number of chances to score, Defoe put the White Hart Lane club on course for all three points after converting Aaron Lennon's cutback after just 20 minutes of the first half.

Spurs wasted a number of chances to double the advantage either side of the half-time break, before Bale finally did so with 20 minutes remaining after a similar, albeit mis-hit, finish to Defoe's opener.

The England striker then confirmed victory after a fine solo run and finish with just over ten minutes remaining, before substitute Hal Robson-Kanu grabbed a late consolation for the visitors after Adam Le Fondre's deep cross had outfoxed Brad Friedel.

Spurs started well and although Alex McCarthy was making his first appearance in the Premier League, he showed no nerves to deny Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jan Vertonghen with two fine reaction saves after three minutes.

Reading thought they should have had a penalty in the 11th minute when the ball struck Kyle Walker's arm as he jumped for a Danny Guthrie free-kick, but Howard Webb ruled that Alex Pearce had fouled the right-back.

The seemingly inevitable opener came after 17 minutes when Sigurdsson sliced open the Reading defence to find Lennon - who squared for Defoe to rifle home from 15 yards.

McCarthy then had to be at his best to deny Sandro from long range as Tottenham looked for a quick second. Defoe then brilliantly took down a long raking pass from the excellent Kyle Naughton and slipped past two defenders, but his toe-poke effort went wide.

McCarthy then almost gifted the visitors a second when he dallied on the ball on the edge of his box. Defoe pinched it off the 22-year-old and squared to Sigurdsson but Pearce rushed back to clear the ball off the line.

Brian McDermott then looked to Le Fondre for inspiration, the former Rotherham striker coming on for midfielder Jem Karacan at the break. The change had little immediate effect, as Tottenham continued to dominate.

Dembele's deflected shot fell at Defoe's feet in Tottenham's first chance of the second half, but the England striker spooned his shot high and wide. Kaspars Gorkss then put in a superb last-ditch tackle to cut out Lennon's cross as Bale lurked in the centre of the box.

Just after the hour Bale turned on the after-burners to sprint down the left and cross for Defoe, but the 29-year-old shot two yards wide.

Spurs eventually moved 2-0 up with 20 minutes to go through Bale. Walker skilfully slipped past two defenders and pulled back for the Welshman, whose scuffed shot looped over McCarthy in to the net.

Any hopes Reading had of a comeback were extinguished two minutes later when a brilliant solo goal from Defoe killed off the match.

The England striker robbed Gorkss on the half way line, stormed past four Reading players on a 40-yard run before slipping past McCarthy.

The away fans, who so vocally booed Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane two weeks ago, chanted the Portuguese's name after the goal went in, clearly delighted at having put the game to bed.

Defoe should have had a hat-trick in the dying minutes when he was picked out by Andros Townsend, but he volleyed way over.

Reading were determined to score before the final whistle, however, and they almost grabbed one when Le Fondre's shot was cleared off the line by William Gallas.

And they did get themselves on the scoreboard in the dying seconds when Le Fondre clipped a wonderful ball to the back post where substitute Robson-Kanu tapped home from close range.

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