THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON — Jermain Defoe’s hat trick sent Tottenham into the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-1 victory over third-tier Leeds on Wednesday.
Defoe put Spurs ahead in the 37th minute, but it was cancelled out on the stroke of halftime by Luciano Becchio at Elland Road.
Despite Tottenham’s dominance in the fourth-round replay, the target proved elusive until Defoe netted again in the 73rd and the England striker sealed the victory in stoppage time with his 20th goal of the season.
"He’s capable of scoring all the time, he’s a fantastic goalscorer," Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said.
Tottenham will face Bolton in the next round after ending Leeds’ dream run in the competition, which saw the fallen power oust Premier League champion Manchester United in the third round.
Leeds had to endure intense Spurs pressure from the start, with Defoe going close four times before finally hitting the net.
David Bentley rampaged down the right flank before passing along the ground to Defoe, who spun and lifted the ball into the top corner with a mis-hit connection.
Having been subdued until then, Leeds immediately pushed for an equalizer, with Heurelho Gomes’ quick reaction blocking Lubomir Michalak’s glancing header.
Gomes did well as halftime loomed to parry first-leg goalscorer Jermaine Beckford’s volley, but Becchio was lurking to tap in the rebound.
"They put us under pressure — particularly in the second half," Defoe said. "But we stuck in and passed the ball."
Leeds had goalkeeper Casper Ankergren to thank for keeping them in the match, turning over a header from Michael Dawson, pushing away Bentley’s shot on the run and denying Defoe until finally being beaten again.
Again Bentley was the provider, as the winger used Aaron Lennon’s injury absence to push for a regular place in the team after falling out of favour.
Bentley sent a well-placed, low cross into the centre and Defoe raised it over Ankergren into the net.
"(Bentley) has come back and taken his opportunity, his attitude has been great," Redknapp said. "Let’s hope he continues to play as well as he has been at the moment."
Leeds looked to equalize in stoppage time, just like in the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, but Spurs launched a swift counterattack. Defoe latched onto Jermaine Jenas’ high ball and ran unchallenged down the pitch before rounding Ankergren to complete his hat trick.
"We can be proud of the fact that we’ve given two top sides in Tottenham and Manchester United three great games and that should provide us with a nice boost as we enter the business end of the league season," Leeds manager Simon Grayson said. "Our aim now is promotion (to the League Championship) and if we can play anything like that we will give ourselves a chance."
The return of the 2001 Champions League semifinalists to the football spotlight has provided a reminder of the perils of gambling on future success to deliver trophies.
But the financial implosion witnessed in the last decade at Leeds threatens to repeat itself at 2008 FA Cup winner Portsmouth, whose faint hopes of staying in the Premier League were hit by a 1-0 loss at Fulham in Wednesday’s only Premier League match.
Jonathan Greening’s first goal for Fulham in the 74th condemned bottom-place Pompey to their fifth loss in seven matches.
Greening scored at the far post after Damien Duff dispossessed Nadir Belhadj and put the ball across the six-yard box.
"We dominated the game and from one mistake we lost," Portsmouth manager Avram Grant said. "It is very frustrating. We are playing the type of football that deserves to take us much higher."
But debt-ridden Portsmouth is five points adrift of Hull at the bottom of the standings.