Defoe delight gets shirt shrift

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, pictured, earned praise and condemnation from Spurs boss Martin Jol after he picked up a one-match ban for removing his shirt after scoring in the 2-0 win against Middlesbrough despite been told not to

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe earned praise and condemnation from Spurs boss Martin Jol after the England striker picked up a one-match ban for removing his shirt after scoring in the 2-0 win against Middlesbrough.

Defoe lifted his shirt above his head after netting in the 48th minute of the game at White Hart Lane and showed off a T-shirt wishing a happy birthday to his girlfriend.

But that earned him an automatic booking and as it was his fifth caution of the season it rules him out of the Premiership trip to Manchester City on December 11.

"It's amazing. We had talked to him about it and told him about it, and he'd promised not to do it again," said Jol.

"Then he still thinks it's the right manner to celebrate. We shall miss him next week and that's a bit harsh. We have to talk with him again as he can't do that. He plays for our team and he's important."

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