Andros Townsend made a dream debut to help Spurs beat Charlton and progress into the FA Cup fourth round.

Teenager scores on debut, Defoe then nets brace

Andros Townsend made a dream debut to help Spurs beat Charlton and progress into the fourth round of the FA Cup. After a goalless first period, the 19-year-old winger netted four minutes after the re-start to give the hosts the lead over their League One opponents. Former Charlton man Jermain Defoe, who was returning from a three-match ban, then notched a brilliant quick-fire brace. The England striker made it 2-0 with a low drive on 58 minutes before rounding off the victory two minutes later by stabbing home from 18 yards for his fifth of the season. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who had hoped David Beckham would be in the stands to watch Sunday's match, announced that a loan deal for the star had fallen through before kick-off, and that the midfielder would come to the club just to train for a month. On this evidence Townsend, who recently had his season-long loan terminated at Ipswich, may prove to be as exciting an option as the former England captain. The 19-year-old winger quickly made an impression on the game, beating two players with step-overs on the right before flashing a dangerous low ball across the box in the second minute. Townsend won a free-kick in the 14th minute which Niko Kranjcar curled just wide. Charlton, without a manager and 45 places below Spurs in the league ladder, looked threatening at times but the hosts controlled most of the possession in the opening half hour.

Tested

Roman Pavlyuchenko tested visiting keeper Rob Elliot with a long-range shot 19 minutes in before Charlton captain Christian Dailly threw himself in front of Defoe to block the striker's shot moments later. However, Spurs were becoming wasteful in possession and lacked the spark regularly offered by the likes of Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modric - both of whom were on the bench. Charlton pushed for an opener as the game reached the half-hour mark when midfielder Scott Wagstaff surged down the right to cross for Joe Anyinsah but Sebastien Bassong scrambled clear from inside the box. Former Tottenham man Johnnie Jackson then beat Sandro down the left but Wagstaff shot just wide from 10 yards while under pressure from Wilson Palacios. Jose Semedo then crossed for Jackson but his ball went just over the Addicks midfielder's head. Redknapp looked to Modric for inspiration, the Croatian coming on for the poor Palacios at the break. The home side came out looking to make an immediate breakthrough and Pavlyuchenko could have scored had it not been for a diving block from another former Spurs man, Gary Doherty. The opening goal came soon afterwards when Townsend picked up Sandro's pass, got the ball out from under his feet and rifled a deflected shot past Elliot from 20 yards. Spurs, now playing with the attacking verve often seen at White Hart Lane this season, looked for a second. Elliot produced a fine diving save to deny Pavlyuchenko before Modric's quick feet allowed him to wriggle past three Charlton players but his shot went a yard wide.

Made amends

Defoe poked wide from 20 yards but he soon made amends by putting Spurs 2-0 up just before the hour. Kranjcar laid the ball to the striker, who dummied a shot before despatching a low 18-yard drive to score against the club where he began his career. Now bristling with confidence, Defoe charged at the Charlton defence, won the ball back after being