Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 0 West Bromwich Albion: Jermaine Defoe delivers a timely reminder to Harry Redknapp with winning goal

Tottenham moved to within three points of second-placed Manchester United after Jermain Defoe finally broke through West Brom’s stubborn resistance with a second-half winner.

The striker, recalled after a month spent in the treatment room and on the bench, swivelled and poked home in the 63rd minute after holding off the challenge of four Baggies defenders. The goal came after a drab opening hour in which Tottenham looked anything but genuine title challengers.

Sloppy passing, wayward finishing, and a failure to carve open an organised West Brom defence meant Spurs were in danger of passing up another opportunity to put pressure on United and leaders Manchester City, before Defoe reminded manager Harry Redknapp of his killer instinct with a precise finish from ten yards to ensure they started 2012 with a win. Tottenham are now within striking distance of United and have a chance to confirm their status as contenders in their upcoming home games against Everton, Wolves and Wigan.

One troubling note for Redknapp will be his ever-increasing injury list. Jake Livermore, William Gallas and Sandro all had to come off with injuries and Spurs dearly missed the presence of Scott Parker and Ledley King.

Defoe, who has hinted he could seek to leave this month, looked keen to make a good impression, testing Ben Foster twice in the opening five minutes on a chilly night in north London.

Foster punched clear a teasing cross from Gareth Bale before Jerome Thomas hacked down the Welshman down to give Spurs a dangerous free-kick which Van der Vaart wasted by firing in to the wall.

The Dutchman quickly made amends by sneaking in front of his marker to clip a delicate shot with the outside of his boot which Foster tipped over at full stretch. But despite their dominance, Spurs were failing to trouble Foster and organised defending from the visitors lead to an air of frustration inside the ground.

Van der Vaart drilled a low shot towards goal but Foster saved and Redknapp shook his head in disappointment at the half-time whistle.

Adebayor’s clever backheel found Defoe inside the box just after the break but the striker shinned his effort way over.

He then flicked a deflected backheel of his own from Van der Vaart’s cross that dribbled just wide. But concerns the game was heading for a goalless draw ended in the 63rd minute when Defoe bagged his 10th of the season. The ball ricocheted off Van der Vaart from Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s cross and fell to Bale, who squared for Defoe.

The England striker held off a challenge before turning and firing home with a low drive.

Tottenham: Friedel,Walker,Kaboul,Gallas (Bassong 67), Assou-Ekotto,Van der Vaart,Modric,Sandro (Livermore 30),Bale, Adebayor,Defoe,Livermore (Kranjcar 77). Subs Not Used: Cudicini,Pavlyuchenko,Giovani,Rose.

West Brom: Foster,Jones,Dawson,McAuley,Shorey,Cox, Thorne (Tchoyi 79),Scharner,Dorrans (Morrison 65), Thomas (Jara Reyes 27),Odemwingie. Subs Not Used: Fulop,Mantom,Tamas,Fortune.

Referee: M Halsey.

Attendance: 36,062