Tottenham 2 Sheriff 1: Jermain Defoe reveals words of encouragement from Martin Chivers helped him break record

Defoe bumped into Chivers at half-time and his belief in Defoe helped the striker break the club record for goals scored in Europe

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe became the club's top goalscorer in Europe with his penalty against Sheriff (GETTY IMAGES)

Tottenham record goalscorers in Europe Jermain Defoe has revealed how he received word of encouragement at half-time during the Europa League victory over Sherriff by the man who held the title – Martin Chivers.

With Spurs looking the better side during the first half, they went into the changing rooms at the break deadlocked with their opponents, but goals from £30m signing Erik Lamela and a record-breaking penalty from Defoe meant they ran out 2-1 winners and booked their place in the last 32.

Defoe’s strike was his 23 in Europe, breaking the record set by Chivers which he had held for 39 years, and the England striker has been quick to admit that his words during the interval motivated him to keep going against a side playing well defensively.

“He's (Chivers) a legend, I saw him at half time,” Defoe told ITV4.

“He said to me keep it going you'll get it. It's so nice for someone like Martin to say that.

“It was frustrating tonight, I couldn't really get much space. I just thought to myself: ‘stay patient’.

“To go to the top of the list I'm delighted. I was confident, what an opportunity to do it.”

The goal was Defoe’s 77th goal in 177 games since he returned to White Hart Lane, having scored 64 in the same number of appearances during his first spell with the club. Despite his consistent goal-record, he remains second choice to summer signing Roberto Soldado, who struggled during last weekend’s goalless draw with Everton.

Some fans have called for Defoe to be given a chance in the league, but it was another recent recruit in Lamela that showed promising signs last night that he is ready to make the step-up to become a regular.

Defoe was full of praise for his team-mate, with the Argentinian netting his first goal for the club at the 10th attempt. Manager Andre Villas-Boas has already defended Lamela with the 21-year-old unable to speak English when he moved to London, and Defoe felt that he had shown his true colours with the impressive performance.

“Lamela was unbelievable tonight, good on the ball, strong,” said Defoe. “Sometimes it is difficult coming to a new club at such a young age. (I’m) Delighted for him he got the goal.”

Villas-Boas admitted his relief with the result, having ensured qualification for the next round with two matches still to play. The Spurs manager was even more appreciative given the fact that they did not book their place in the first knockout round last season until the final group game via a 3-1 win over Panathinaikos.

“It is a great pleasure, different from last year,” said the Portuguese. “We are already there with two games to go.

“We still have to make sure we honour the Tottenham shirt.”

Villas-Boas joined Defoe in crediting Lamela with a strong performance, saying: “We were waiting for him to have a game like this.

“Very creative, no fear to face the man and beat opponents and in the end he scored and created the situation for the penalty.”

The only disappointing aspect for Villas-Boas was the fact his side didn’t push on and add to the scoreline, with a 2-1 result failing to reflect their domination of Thursday evening’s match.

“We could have gone on from there and scored more,” he admitted, “but credit to them.

“But it was a great overall performance, good to be through.”