Jermain Defoe once again proved an able deputy against FC Sheriff Tiraspol as he equalled Martin Chivers’ 40-year-old goalscoring record for Tottenham in Europe.

Seventies hero Big Chiv, a UEFA Cup winner with Spurs in 1972, said he was happy to share his 22-goal milestone with a striker who had ‘earned everything he’s done’ and was not just ‘lucky’.

Defoe, starting in place of Roberto Soldado, has six goals in just four Europa League games this season which tells a story of a forward who has taken his chances in this competition, even if his side were flattered by the scoreline in Tiraspol.

Spurs rode their luck after captain Jan Vertonghen’s 12th-minute goal, despite enjoying nearly all the possession. Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas said: ‘It is some achievement by Jermain, and another great performance. ‘If we continue like this, there is a big chance he will break the record, which would be great.

‘The second goal is always crucial in open games like this, when both teams are creating chances and are confident. ‘It was not easy, but we did enough to win the game, which was the objective so we can achieve qualification at the next game.’

Tottenham could not have sealed qualification to the knockout stages anyway, as Anzhi Makhachkala beat Tromso 1-0 in the other group game, but Villas-Boas’ side still got the job done in this strange part of the world, a self-declared state in Moldova called Transnistria; a country that does not exist according to the United Nations.

In this often gruelling competition, Spurs have covered 10,000 miles already this season but have not lost or drawn a match or conceded a goal. Despite the arrival of £100million of attacking talent at White Hart Lane this summer, Tottenham also seem to be developing a habit of playing poorly and still managing to win, more often than not, and have responded to the 3-0 Premier League defeat by West Ham with two away successes.

Hugo Lloris’s goal, though, led a charmed life in Tiraspol, as Spurs came up against a team of Sheriffs who had left their shooting boots at home. The Moldovan champions, who had lost just one of their last 88 home league games, attacked with pace and intent on the counter but were hopelessly wasteful in front of goal, failing to capitalise on any of six clear-cut chances.

After Vertonghen rose at the far post to nod Christian Eriksen’s cross past Vjekoslav Tomic, Spurs needed a stunning clearance from Vlad Chiriches to stop Luvannor Henrique equalising just three minutes later.

Kadu saw a goal disallowed for offside after half an hour and Ismail Isa missed three excellent chances; partly through being off balance but also because Lloris was, as always, quick off his line to smother the striker.

At the other end Defoe, it seemed, was guilty of trying a little too hard. Records matter dearly to this striker and he looked particularly crestfallen when he took an extra touch to control an Eriksen pass just before half-time, and then aimed a weak left-footed shot straight at the goalkeeper after the restart.

It took until the 75th minute for Defoe to score his 22nd European goal for Tottenham, a 25-yard strike that took a deflection. With Emmanuel Adebayor back on the bench for the first time this season and Soldado ready to resume the lone striker role against Hull on Sunday, Defoe knows he must continue to impress in Europe.

Aaron Lennon had a frustrating evening after making his first start since the opening day of the season.

He began on the right wing in the absence of Andros Townsend, who was rested, and danced through for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper only to see his shot blocked.

He later switched wings but that was a move designed more to bring the peripheral Lamela into play rather than being a slight on Lennon. It is now five wins out of five for Tottenham in Europe this season, however, and victory against Sheriff at White Hart Lane on November 7 will ensure they reach the knockout stages with two games to spare.

The first task, however, is to make sure an away win in Europe is not again followed by a domestic home defeat on Sunday.

— Daily Mail