Andre Villas-Boas was full of praise for Jermain Defoe after the hitman's brace set Spurs on the path to a 3-1 victory over Reading.

Defoe scored mid-way through the first half to open the scoring for Tottenham before later notching his second and Tottenham's third after Gareth Bale had added one in between.

Villas-Boas, who showed faith in his striker by selecting him for a fourth consecutive start despite the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor, was delighted.

He said: "I'm extremely happy for him. He is such a prolific striker for club and country.

"It's amazing how he sniffs out goal-scoring opportunities and makes the most of them.

"I know there were questions being raised about him being played up front on his own or with Emmanuel Adebayor alongside him but I think Jermain can continue to produce these kind of attacking opportunities."

Defoe has now scored four goals in as many games this season.

The victory was Spurs' first league win as a classy display proved too much for Brian McDermott's side.