Jermain Defoe broke Tottenham Hotspur’s European goal-scoring record on Thursday as he steered his side into the knockout phase of the Europa League with a tough 2-1 victory over Moldova’s Sheriff Tiraspol.
Spurs join Valencia, Salzburg, Esbjerg, Fiorentina an
d Dninpro in the last-32 who all booked their places with two matches still remaining in the group phase.
Defoe’s clinical 67th minute penalty, which not only makes him the competition’s top scorer with five goals from four matches, also gave him 23 European goals, one more than former England international Martin Chivers.
Chivers, who scored 13 goals in 24 matches for England, helped the side win the same competition in 1972 when it was known as the UEFA Cup.
“Some things are written, I couldn’t get a lot of space in the first-half but I just tried to stay patient and top of the list now, I’m delighted,” said England striker Defoe. “I saw Martin (Chivers) at half-time, he’s a legend and he just told me to get it so it’s special for me.”
Valencia, who won the tournament in 2004 and were twice beaten Champions League finalists, are also into the next round after a Sergio Canales’ goal five minutes from time gave them a 3-2 victory at Swiss side St Gallen.
Premier League club Swansea blew a victory chance against Kuban Krasnodar for the second time when they conceded a last-gasp equaliser but need only avoid defeat when they play St Gallen in their final game or beat Valencia at home in their next to ensure their passage to the knock-out stages.
Fiorentina, continued their progress by making it four wins out of four with two goals in the last four minutes to win 2-1 at Romanians Pandurii Targu-Jiu.