Defoe at the double as Tottenham march past Tromsø

Last season's UEFA Europa League quarter-finalists Tottenham Hotspur FC enjoyed a successful return to the competition, beating Tromsø IL 3-0 at White Hart Lane in their Group K opener.

A pair of first-half goals from Jermain Defoe got André Villas-Boas' side on their way in a game that the Premier League side dominated throughout. Substitute Christian Eriksen then wrapped it up with the goal of the night four minutes from time, ensuring Spurs finished the contest in good spirits ahead of their long matchday two trip to FC Anji Makhachkala.

As for Agnar Christensen's side, cheered on by buoyant travelling support, they rarely looked in danger of experiencing a repeat of their last trip to London, when they suffered their heaviest European loss, 7-1 to Chelsea FC in November 1997. They welcome FC Sheriff next.

Having only exited the competition on penalties to FC Basel 1893 last season, Tottenham began at a lively pace. The busy visiting goalkeeper Marcus Sahlman had already made saves from the impressive Danny Rose, Defoe and Gylfi Sigurdsson when the team in white made the breakthrough.

Defoe it was who gifted Spurs their lead, delicately lifting over the advancing Sahlman in the 21st minute after Erik Lamela's first-time pass had split the defence. Eight minutes later, the forward grabbed his second, guiding in Lewis Holtby's threaded through ball left-footed from a closing angle.

Jan Vertonghen came on as a replacement for the injured Rose, but there was no let-up. Sigurdsson drove a shot just wide from the edge of the area, and the diving Sahlman subsequently denied Defoe his hat-trick.

Tromsø had a rare effort just before the interval when Josh Pritchard found some space behind the Spurs defence, but the Welshman dragged his attempt wide. Pritchard had another chance just after the hour, firing over from outside the area. However, Eriksen had the last word, driving high into the top corner from range.