Line-up: Radostin Kishishev replaces dead leg victim Matt Holland in the side and Chris Perry is added to the 16 on duty.
Robbie Keane's movement alongside Defoe was in contrast to Darren Bent who did little from the poor service he received. Jermaine Jenas punished Chris Powell's sluggish defending with Tottenham's second strike while Bryan Hughes was perhaps fortunate to stay on after impeding Paul Stalteri. Charlton had hardly had a sniff of a goal yet in (first half) stoppage time almost pulled one back out of the blue as Paul Robinson, a spectator for the previous 45 minutes, watched the ball cannon off the woodwork. Charlton will be disappointed with their performance in the first hour at the very least. After that they became more adventurous, but only Hreidarsson's swift reactions denied Defoe who glittered again. But suddenly, although only briefly, Spurs looked vulnerable. Whereas Jerome Thomas' nifty consolation was just about all Charlton's meek display deserved Tottenham suggested they can stay the distance. THE SUN
John Cross: Defoe's finishing and Keane's brilliant work rate earned a much-deserved victory which could have been even heavier on Charlton, as Tottenham pinned their opponents back in the first half with an excellent display. Charlton never looked like getting anything from the moment Defoe gave Spurs an untidy, but precious lead. Tottenham lost some of their early rhythm when Teemu Tainio limped off but it did not take them long to get themselves in charge again. Even when Charlton did create chances, Robinson was on hand to save Spurs. Carrick, in particular, was outstanding in midfield as his range of passing was sensational. Charlton were desperately disappointing. Curbishley’s players let him down. They did not show enough ambition in the first half and, when they did finally rally in the second period, it was already over. It should have been cruise control for Tottenham from then on. Spurs showed flashes of inspiration and could easily have had four or five goals as Keane wasted two good one-on-one chances. But even though Keane could not find the target, his partnership with Defoe was full of potential and created plenty of opportunities. Tottenham were guilty of going to sleep late on. Charlton gave themselves a small glimmer of hope and began to chase the game. If they had scored during Tottenham's slack spell then they might have salvaged a draw. DAILY MIRROR
Russell Kempson: Tottenham were greatly assisted by Charlton’s first-half apathy. Once Defoe had eased Tottenham in front the outcome was not in doubt - only when he emphasised that did Tottenham relinquish their grip, believing the game to be won and allowing their steady rhythm to fade and Charlton to reduce the gap. THE TIMES
Trevor Haylett: In a personal comparison with Darren Bent, Defoe won hands down. But that particular challenge was easy for him: so superior were Tottenham, so much better was the service that came his way. A lack of decisiveness at key times contributed to Charlton being defeated. Charlton were vulnerable when Michael Carrick and Jermaine Jenas got on the ball with time to pick a pass. With Keane dropping off the front line to enhance the supply, Charlton were finding it hard to cope. Their cause was not helped by their negligence in possession; Radostin Kishishev gave the ball away just before the break and released another head of steam for the home team. Spurs were good value for their interval advantage. On the restart, the Charlton defence conspired once more with a woeful lack of cover and Defoe helped himself. The intensity parted from Spurs' game but Charlton had woken up too late. DAILY TELEGRAPH
Paul Weaver: Defoe had only one serious rival for the man of the match award and that was Michael Carrick. On yesterday's form, Defoe would have taken a lot of stopping. He tormented the Charlton defence with his pace and opportunism and was in sharp form. Jol's side scored their goals at perfect times and should have won more comfortably than they ultimately did. Instead they allowed Charlton to dominate long passages of the second half. Charlton pulled one back and if they had scored again, as they almost did, it might have been an interesting finish. THE GUARDIAN
Andrew Warshaw: Charlton responded (to going behind) by wasting a couple of dangerous free-kicks and were still waiting for their first shot on target when they fell further behind. By the third goal Spurs were in cruise control. With Michael Carrick at his cultured best in midfield, only a last-ditch tackle on Keane by Hermann Hreidarsson prevented the striker from scoring number four and Alan Curbishley could only stand and watch as his team were picked off almost at will. Until Charlton got back into the game late on, they had no answer to a Spurs side that bristled with pace and invention. Spurs briefly wobbled and only a miraculous Paul Robinson save from Hreidarsson's late header prevented them enduring a nail-biting finish. THE INDEPENDENT