Defoe brace guides Spurs into FA Cup quarterfinals

LONDON (AP) — Jermain Defoe took advantage of a rare start for Tottenham to score twice in a 3-1 victory over third-tier Stevenage on Wednesday, putting the Premier League club into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.

The England striker grabbed goals in either half of the fifth-round replay at White Hart Lane, equalizing in the 26th minute with a left-foot strike from outside the box before completing the scoring with another fierce shot in the 75th.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored Tottenham's other goal, a 54th-minute penalty, after Joel Byrom gave Stevenage a surprise lead in the fourth minute — also from the penalty spot.

Defoe has been left out of Spurs' starting lineup in recent months at the expense of Adebayor, who joined on loan last summer from Manchester City, and January signing Louis Saha, jeopardizing his spot in England's squad for the European Championships.

"I've felt sharp all season," Defoe said. "I'd love to play in the summer for England but obviously I have to get a run in the Spurs team first."

Tottenham will host Bolton in an all-Premier league last-eight match on March 17 as it goes in search of a first FA Cup title since 1991 but the victory came at a cost for Harry Redknapp's side, which is third in the Premier League.

England center back Michael Dawson was carried off on a stretcher early on with suspected ruptured ankle ligaments while winger Aaron Lennon limped off later in the first half.

"Michael Dawson looks like he's got a really bad injury, which is a real blow," Redknapp said. "It's long term for sure."

Of the eight teams left in the world's oldest club knockout competition, only one — second-tier Leicester — doesn't play in the Premier League.

Spurs' victory ended a run of three games without a win, including losses to Arsenal and Manchester United in the league and the 0-0 draw with Stevenage in the first match between the sides.