A lethal display of finishing from Jermain Defoe ripped a woeful Saints side to shreds and extended our winning run to 4 games.

He opened his account in under 10 minutes as a ball from Carrick allowed Kanoute to break down the right. For a moment it looked as if Kanoute had waited too long to get his cross in and the chance had gone, but Defoe had cleverly found space in the box and slotted the ball home when Kanoute did eventually cross it.

Southampton had a couple of chances to get back on level terms through Phillips and Crouch but Spurs went 2 goals to the good before the half hour mark - having not previously scored in the opening 30 mins of any game all season.

Telfer tried to tackle Kanoute but succeeded only in laying the ball through for Defoe to run onto and he made no mistake with the finish.

Kanoute, Telfer and Defoe all tried their luck from distance and Pamarot had headed wide from close range before Spurs got their third of the afternoon. Carrick sprung the Saints offside trap with a lovely ball over the top to Kanoute and he slotted home.

A miskick from King and hesitation from Robinson right at the start of the second half saw Crouch pull one back. Suddenly the Saints started to play a bit and there were a few worried faces, thinking back the defeat by Man City where we lost 4-3 having led 3-0 at the break.

Spurs don't crumble under Martin Jol however, and having weathered the storm they made the game safe when Defoe followed up after Niemi saved from Brown.

Defoe could have had another before he turned provider, dinking the ball over the defence for Keane to control and poke home, although Niemi would no doubt have felt he should he done better, allowing the ball to squirm under him.

MOTM: Defoe. Only one candidate. Superb performance showing his instinctive finishing ability at its best.