Leeds United 1 Tottenham 3: Defoe hat-trick knocks Whites out of FA Cup

Spurs had started last night's FA Cup fourth round replay at similarly short odds to the 5-6 price Redknapp's horse had justified earlier in the day.

The bookmakers' confidence proved well placed, though not before United, once again belying their League One status, gave the Champions League hopefuls an almighty scare.

Leeds came from behind three times in the tie, the third of those coming in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Luciano Becchio cancelled out Jermain Defoe's opener.

At that stage, another almighty Cup upset seemed possible only for Spurs to illustrate why they are among the favourites to lift the famous old trophy come May by digging deep to book a fifth round trip to Bolton Wanderers courtesy of Defoe's late double.

It is testament to the fighting spirit that Redknapp has instilled among the Tottenham players that they made light of conditions that fancy dan London sides are supposed to dread.

As the temperature plunged below zero, the groundstaff had spent the couple of hours ahead of kick-off clearing snow off the pitch.

However, any hopes of Leeds catching their illustrious visitors cold were soon swept away by a blistering start from the Premier League outfit.

In common with the original tie that finished 2-2 at White Hart Lane, only the brilliance of Casper Ankergren in the United goal prevented Spurs taking control.

First, he pulled off a fine save to deny Defoe after the ball had ricocheted neatly into his path following a heavy challenge by Robert Snodgrass on Jermaine Jenas.

The Leeds goalkeeper, who had kept out a penalty from Defoe at White Hart Lane, then piled further frustration on Tottenham's top scorer with another smart stop.

Defoe would, however, have the last laugh with his first telling contribution coming eight minutes before the break.

David Bentley was the creator with a sublime turn leaving Andrew Hughes struggling before picking out Defoe with a deft pass that the Spurs striker, with an element of good fortune, shanked into the top corner.

Going behind in such unfortunate circumstances would have led to most third tier sides buckling.

But not Leeds as Lubomir Michalik, who was fortunate to still be on the field after hauling down Defoe as last man only for referee Andre Marriner to miss the incident, brought a stunning save from Heurelho Gomes with a deft header.

Then, just as the fourth official indicated there would be one minute of stoppage time at the end of the half, the home side drew level for a third time in the tie as the Spurs defence were caught flat-footed by Leigh Bromby's hooked cross.

Jermaine Beckford reacted quickest with a volley Gomes could only beat out as far as Becchio who had the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net for his first goal since Kettering Town were beaten 5-1 in a first round replay.

Once again, the watching millions at home were being treated to a classic but any hopes of an upset to rival Leeds knocking out Manchester United were gradually eroded as Spurs resumed control after the break.

Ankergren was again busy as the Dane brilliantly turned away a Michael Dawson header before denying Bentley after the former Blackburn Rovers winger had capitalised on a blunder by Hughes.

A breakthrough seemed inevitable and it duly arrived in the 72nd minute when a quick corner between Bentley and Jenas created the opportunity for Defoe to finish from close range.

This time, there was to be no reply from a spent Leeds and Defoe rounded off a fine night by netting his hat-trick goal in stoppage time to seal a notable sporting double for his manager.

Leeds: Ankergren, Bromby, Naylor, Michalik, Hughes, Howson, Doyle, Johnson, Snodgrass, Beckford, Becchio. Subs: Alan Martin, Crowe, Grella, Robinson, Somma, Hatfield, White.

Tottenham: Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Bassong, Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas, Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe. Subs: Alnwick, Palacios, Modric, Rose, Dervite, Parrett, Fredericks.

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands)

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