Spurs star wanted by Aston Villa, Reading, QPR & Sunderland enjoys silencing critics

Tottenham star Jermain Defoe felt that he’d been able to silence his critics after scoring the winner against Italy.

The striker scored his 16th goal for his country as his future at White Hart Lane is unclear.

“Even at my age!” he told ITV after being asked whether he felt scoring for England helped prove some doubters wrong.

“Every time I play I give 100%, and it’s always nice to score for your country.”

Defoe dedicated his strike to his cousin who died in St Lucia recently.

“It was one of my best and I would like to dedicate that goal to my cousin who died in St Lucia, it would have been their birthday today,” he added.

“It was nice to come on and score but it was important to get a win so it was good.

“I think even if you speak to the lads with more caps than me they still want to prove themselves everytime they pull on an England shirt and prove things to the nation and to the Manager. I’m always looking to prove things.

“Every time I play I give 100 per cent and as a striker I am judged on goals and it is always nice to score for your country.”