Defoe stakes his claim

TOTTENHAM 2 REAL SOCIEDAD 1

Defoe (28), Dawson (61) Uranga (39)

Jermian Defoe did not take long to score and mount a convincing argument for an England starting place against Greece on Wednesday.

Then, fellow international hopeful, Michael Dawson, fired the winner as if to show watching England manager Steve McClaren that John Terry is not the only central defender who can get among the goals when needed.

McClaren praised Defoe for his efforts and dropped a heavy hint that he would, in fact, see midweek international action even though the player looked very unhappy at being substituted 20 minutes from time and had to be consoled by coach Chris Hughton. And there was another treat for Sven Goran Eriksson's successor — the fact that Ledley King has recovered quickly from a knee operation and believes he could be playing again in two weeks.

It had been expected that he would be out of action for at least the first three weeks of Tottenham's new campaign but he said: 'I'm not feeling any more soreness, even though I'm only jogging at the moment.'

McClaren said: 'Defoe took his goal well and you might well see him against Greece. As for Ledley King, that's good news. Really excellent.'

McClaren must have been impressed by the finishing power of both goalscorers, though Defoe's explosive strike was the more poignant, coming as it did from a man who had been left on the beach for the World Cup in Germany. Dismissed by Eriksson as illequipped for international football, Defoe punished the Spaniards with typical ruthlessness.

A determined surge from Edgar Davids in the 28th minute opened up Sociedad's defence and Defoe pounced with all the hunger you would expect from a player with a point to prove.

At other times he tried too hard and took too many touches in his effort to impress. On this occasion, however, one touch for control was followed by a net-busting second.

Although pleased with Defoe's strike, McClaren must have been slightly concerned at the ease with which Garikoitz Uranga beat goalkeeper Paul Robinson with a speculative drive six minutes from the interval.

But with five England players on show, he was treated to some very promising performances. There was a 50-yard pass from Jermaine Jenas, which left Lee Young-Pyo in so much space that he should have made Real pay.

Although Jenas rapped a shot against the bar from only five yards about 10 minutes before the interval, he had at least stolen into a scoring position.

Aaron Lennon skipped around White Hart Lane in a manner that defied all attempts to mark him out of the game.

His finest moment was also his most controversial, as he danced his way through the Basque defence only to end his run with a theatrical dive.

Since nothing was riding on the result, the visiting team's over-reaction to the drama was somewhat comical, though referee Steve Bennett lectured the World Cup star on the perils of developing such an unsporting habit.

Dawson proved reliable enough although some of his distribution seemed a little careless. The goal after 61 minutes made up for it, a swipe from point-blank range after a scramble from Didier Zokora's corner.