Cup hero Defoe ‘up with the best’ says Redknapp

Harry Redknapp believes Jermain Defoe went a long way towards cementing his place in England’s World Cup squad after watching him score a hat-trick to take Tottenham Hotspur into the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The 27-year-old England forward might have wasted several chances but he still managed to score a hat-trick at Elland Road to spare Tottenham’s blushes in a 3-1 win away to League One promotion-chasing Leeds here on Wednesday.

That took his tally for the season to 23 goals with his third hat-trick which helped secure Spurs a last 16 clash against Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers.

Defoe remains one of the leading goalscorers in England and Redknapp was full of praise for the impish striker who, barring injury, will surely be part of Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad in South Africa later this year.

“It was well deserved in the end,” said Redknapp of Defoe’s treble.

“But it was a difficult game against a good Leeds team.”

Redknapp, who knows Defoe well, having first signed the front man back in 1999 when he was manager of West Ham before working with him again at Portsmouth, added: “He could have scored six tonight.

“He had some great opportunities. He showed three great finishes but missed three easier chances. But he’s always in the right place.

“Jermain has always scored goals ever since he was a little boy and he’s up there with the best.

“He’s a terrific finisher and his confidence is good at the moment. He got good service from wide positions and Peter Crouch can flick things on for him. There aren’t many better than him at the moment.”

Redknapp was also pleased by Wednesday’s return to form of former Arsenal and Blackburn winger David Bentley, which threatened to leave the Spurs manager with a welcome dilemma.

“David Bentley was outstanding. He’s a great player and I thought he did really well. It will be a nice problem to have when everyone is fit.

“Those who came in showed the right attitude and got on with it. This is one defeat in 13 games now and players are doing their jobs.

“We’ve got a chance (of winning the FA Cup), but we’ve got some tough games coming up,” insisted Redknapp, who took Pompey to FA Cup glory two years ago.

He also readily conceded Spurs had come through two tough encounters with Leeds, who belied their third division status to draw 2-2 at White Hart Lane after producing the shock of this season’s FA Cup by knocking out English champions Manchester United at Old Trafford in the previous round.

“This is a massive club,” Redknapp said of Leeds. “Their fans were incredible and it was a great atmosphere.

“People were hoping to come here and see an upset but it didn’t happen and now we have a big game with Aston Villa this weekend,” added Redknapp whose side are vying with Villa for a top four finish that would guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson said he was proud of his players and insisted their two games with Tottenham could inspire them to win promotion – they presently lie second three points behind leaders Norwich but with two games in hand.

“To win at Old Trafford and draw at White Hart Lane isn’t a bad effort for a team in League One,” Grayson said

“Nights like this motivate you even more and give you memories of when this club was in the Premier League and Champions League.

“Over the two games we have pushed them hard and the players have got to have that belief now that they can go on and play at a higher level.”